Judgmental-Critical

JUDGMENTAL/CRITICAL

Problem:

Help is needed in overcoming such an attitude.  The judgmental/critical attitude may stem from these sources: a strict, legalistic viewpoint of the Word, a strict overbearing conscience or tendency to be negative in thought, speech and actions, etc.  Our natural sin of self-consciousness (pride) is also the root cause of this problem.

Biblical Statement:

As it was with Paul, we should not even be judgmental of ourselves, let alone of another.  The time for judgment will come, and it will be the Lord who then will judge us all (1 Cor.4:1-4).

1 Corinthians 4:1-5 1 Let a man so account of us, as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2  Moreover it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful. 3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man's judgment: yea, I judge not mine own self. 4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified: but he that judgeth me is the Lord. 5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (KJV)

Matthew 7:1-2 1 Judge not, that ye be not judged. 2 For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. (KJV)

John 8:7 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. (KJV)

Mark 11:2425 24 Therefore I say unto you, What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. 25 And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have ought against any: that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. (KJV)

Luke 6:41 41 And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother's eye, but perceivest not the beam that is in thine own eye? (KJV)

Romans 14:4 4 Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand. (KJV)

Ephesians 6:12 12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. (KJV)

Counsel:

The person must see his need to demonstrate an attitude of forgiveness and mercy.  Consider Jesus in John 8:3-10; Matt. 23;23

John 8:3-10 3 And the scribes and Pharisees brought unto him a woman taken in adultery; and when they had set her in the midst, 4 They say unto him, Master, this woman was taken in adultery, in the very act. 5 Now Moses in the law commanded us, that such should be stoned: but what sayest thou? 6  This they said, tempting him, that they might have to accuse him. But Jesus stooped down, and with his finger wrote on the ground, as though he heard them not. 7 So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her. 8 And again he stooped down, and wrote on the ground. 9 And they which heard it, being convicted by their own conscience, went out one by one, beginning at the eldest, even unto the last: and Jesus was left alone, and the woman standing in the midst. 10 When Jesus had lifted up himself, and saw none but the woman, he said unto her, Woman, where are those thine accusers? hath no man condemned thee? (KJV)

Matthew 8:23  And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him. (KJV)

We must look with our spiritual eyes and see the Aglory that is to be revealed: in a person.  That is, if a person is not saved, pray that God will save him.  A new creature whom one can love is thus born into the Kingdom of God, that is the Aglory to be revealed.@

We must constantly remind ourselves, that just as AGod is not finished with me yet,@ neither is He finished with any other.

Meanwhile, remember that if Ayou have someone on your heart (interceding in prayer), he won=t get in your hair.@

References:

A good homework project to suggest is that the listener find daily practical ways to be of help to the one they were judging before.  Also, a daily reading of Gal. 6:1-3 would be advisable.

Galatians 6:1-3 1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. 2 Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. 3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself. (KJV)

List all the good, praiseworthy traits, accomplishments, etc. you can find about the person(s) toward whom you find yourself being critical or judgmental.

Look for opportunities to share that praise with that person(s).

Pray for forgiveness when you find yourself being judgmental or critical. Then ask God to forgive the other person(s) if they have annoyed you or others, even as you forgive them.  This releases them to God and He can draw them to Jesus.