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"Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh."
(Matt 12:34)

"An ungodly man digs up evil and it is on his lips like a burning fire." (Prov 16:27)

Did you ever stop to think that the words you speak about another person actually say more about you then they do the person your talking about?

Fault-finding and criticisms are something that anyone can do. They take very little effort, imagination, or originality. The truth is, if you look hard enough at another person with the intent of finding some imperfection, it won't take you long to discover something. Each of us is human after-all, and with that comes the frailties' and short-comings inherent in being mortal man. None of us is in anyway perfect. When we accept that about ourselves and others, we are much less likely to criticize someone else for their weaknesses.

Criticism never involves taking risks in order to achieve ones' dreams or goals, but rather it is a state of inactivity and fear. Quite often it is the sport of the coward, or those that have made half-hearted efforts and failed. Rarely does the critic place himself on the line where he might be open to the critical eye of another, preferring instead to place the head of another on the chopping block of public ridicule. Sideline quarter-backs are a dime a dozen because it is always easier to find the faults of another than it is to perfect your own shortcomings. The old saying "those that can do and those that can't talk about it" is so true.

Criticism serves one purpose. The person speaking is trying to win the affections or attention of another, by making someone else look bad. It is small minded logic to think that by tearing down another, you can increase your own stature. But this is the mind-set of the critic. He uses criticism in the hopes of diverting attention away from his own insecurities and weaknesses, never realizing that such behavior generally makes his own inadequacies all the more apparent.

The wise man, who is sure of his own worth, measures his words and is silent on matters that will ruin the reputation or standing of another. He knows that nothing can be gained within himself by making another look bad. He has learned that if he has nothing good to say he says nothing, and so appears wise in the matters at hand. Others in turn seek out his opinion, because it is not so freely given. That is not only wisdom but love perfected.

Criticism is the language of the devil, not that of men and women that profess the name of Christ. The Bible clearly tells us that the devil is the accuser of the brethren (Rev 12:10)and yet many Christians believe that it is their responsibility to be judge and jury over others. Such behavior maligns the name of Christ and Christianity before the world. Love (which is the essense of all that Christ stood and died for)covers the faults of others, it NEVER exposes them.

How is it that we who profess Christianity can speak the name of the Lord with the same unholy tongue we use to curse or criticize a brother, who is also one of God's children created in His image?

We are to be blessings to one another in word and in deed. As Christians we are called to build in to the lives of others, not to reap destruction.

If the Bible is in fact true in it's entirety, than it is also true when it tells us that we have the power of life and death in our tongues. Must we be reminded how easily our words can sow seeds of death into the lives and dreams of another?

No doubt each of us has been on the receiving end of the words of others as they have told us we can't, or will never be. And each of us has watched some of our dreams slip silently away, because we believed the criticism of others, instead of the possibilities before us.

When we speak of a man's faults or weaknesses we cause him to focus on them, causing him to stay where he is, stuck in his failure and afraid to try again. We wound his spirit and place him in bondage to the critical words we have spoken. Like tape recordings those words echo in and out of the persons mind as they think about reaching for the stars or trying again.

When we find a man's worth or speak of his successes to others, we cause him to grow and to become all that he can dream of being. In turn we strengthen our own standing before men, and more importantly before God.

It is a sobering thought when we realize that we will be judged for every idle word that passes our lips. How different might our conversations be if we only stopped our talking long enough to consider the fact that God is silently listening to the words we speak about and to each other?

No matter how candy coated our criticisms are
THEY ARE WRONG.
No matter how deserving a person is of our criticisms
THEY ARE WRONG.

The Bible says, "Let he who is without sin cast the first stone." But from the "stones" that most of us throw in our daily conversations, most would believe we had never read that verse.

The closer we draw to God, the more guilt we should feel for our unclean speech.

When Isaiah saw the Lord he was undone because he realized how unclean his lips were. When the Holy Spirit came at Pentecost it was no accident that He came as tongues of fire.

Though we speak of revival and the Holy Spirit's presence in our lives, the evidence of such a divine visitation is not there. If it were our language would be refined as in fire. No one would have to tell us to measure our words more carefully because we would be aware that whatever wounds a brother grieves the Holy Spirit as well.

If our tongues are not yielded to righteousness, do we really have any right proclaiming the Gospel of Christ?

Aren't we after all living Epistles to be read by all men???


Just to see how it feels:
For the next 24 hours see if you can refrain from fault-finding, or saying anything bad about anything or anyone.

I don't consider that criticism if she HAS ASKED FOR IT, thats more like constructive correction, or help. But if she has not asked for that help you are being critical. Because she hasn't asked for that help she may feel like she is doing it ok at that moment, and your advise would do nothing but tear her down.

Unsolicited advise or correction is almost always criticism, whether or not it is deserved. In that case you are setting yourself up as the judge, and portraying yourself as "superior".

Unless of course you are pointing out something that would cause them embarrassment...such as lettuce caught in their front teeth or their zipper down. (that type of thing).

It does not apply to correcting their speech, driving, the mess on their desk, or or how they sqeeze the toothpaste. (things in those areas are criticisms.

Good luck on the challenge.

God says it's possible...so it must be biggrin

I kinda blew it out of the water when I commented in the Ethics thread. I'll try again after this weekend ... this weekend would be too easy.

Very true...but from how I interpret things, pointing out sins only applies to brothers and sisters in the faith, not the whole world, which is where most of us blow it.

What we are talking about here isn't pointing out sin...it's about criticizing people for how they do or say things, or offering unsolicited critical advise when they haven't asked for your input.

Good luck on the challenge...it's harder than it sounds..ask Bait.
I think it took me 3 times to make the 24 hours....then I really taxed myself to make it a week.