Judging one another
James 4:11-12 Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge. 12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?
Two types of sin:
Christians commit two types of sin in the area of criticism – they are too harsh in criticizing others; and they get offended if they are criticized. Criticism can be good and/or bad. If it is designed to help a fellow Christian in their walk with the Lord, then it can be very beneficial. If it is too harsh or extreme and spoken in the wrong manner, it can become very bad, even sinful, because it enters into the realm of judging which only God is qualified to do.
Results of criticism:
Criticism, even constructive, can generate resentment, quarreling and enmity. It can damage the character of the critic as much as the recipient. It can build walls between Christians (Prov 18:19) and cause divisions. The rule of love as given in 1 Cor 13:5 should always reign in our hearts anytime we express criticism.
Reaction to criticism:
There is an old saying: “If you can’t take it, don’t dish it out.” If we refuse to permit criticism or we chaff against it, we should never offer any to others. Too often when we are criticized, instead of accepting and learning from it, we react and turn to our critic the same or some other criticism. Another type of reaction is over react to the criticism or we go overboard concerning the criticism.
What do we do when criticized?
Respond lovingly/wisely – maintain an approachable spirit.
Examine your life – use criticism as an opportunity to examine your own life. God allows or brings criticism into our life as his child in order to test, try or shape us.
Thank God for it – Give thanks that you were criticized, especially if you found its benefit.
Look for the root of the criticism – Try to see the reason for the criticism. Sometimes criticisms are not the real issue.
Learn from what is said – We can learn from even harsh and unfair criticism if we look at it prayerfully and do not reject it completely.