A Critical Spirit

Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it but sitting in judgment on it. James 4:11

I grew up in a church that passed judgment on others. They condemned cultural values and were also very critical of other churches. In fact, the church split several times due to theological differences, not because they wanted a greater impact on the community. Their passion for theological correctness divided the church, creating rifts among its members. I’m not sure it was slander, but it was severe enough that one group could not worship with the other.

That attitude tainted my participation in the church for many years. I don’t deny the fact that many cultural norms were counter to biblical principles, and they should be addressed within the church. However, a critical spirit without a heart for the Christian community can lead to judgmentalism. It should bring us to tears, not anger. Condescension towards less enlightened Christians is not our responsibility as believers. Let me explain.

Our culture has been post-Christian ever since the 1960s. It is a fact that the US population identifies less and less with the Christian faith, and church attendance continues to dwindle. So, if we were post-Christian in the 1960s, then we are post-post-Christian in the 2020s. The point here is that cultural norms continue to slide and infiltrate the church. We often find secular lifestyles and doctrinal compromise among our “brothers and sisters”. If a person proclaims Jesus as Lord, they may have many faults, but they are still my Christian brother or sister.

The question becomes, How do I act around someone who has a different lifestyle or Christian perspective on an issue? James 4:11 helps us with this. When the secular world sees the Christian community judging each other and divided, is that a detriment for them to be drawn to Christ? I think it is. We can and will disagree, but when we openly criticize our own and question their sincerity, we weaken the gospel of Christ.

I have a good friend who is a devout Catholic and a student of the Bible. I question the Catholic church’s stand on praying to Mary and the saints. Isn’t Jesus enough? However, I don’t doubt his commitment to Christ. Another friend does not attend church but worships online. I am saddened that he is missing the opportunity to be a part of the Body of Christ, but I don’t question his faith in Christ. Another friend refuses to read the Old Testament, and another doesn’t believe in eternal security. It saddens me, but I don’t question their core faith in Christ.

Here are some trickier issues. I have known folks who say they are Christ followers who are struggling in their marriages, are lousy parents, cuss a lot, drink too much, or are addicted to work. I don’t like any of those scenarios. However, do I point a Pharisaic finger at them, or do I come alongside them and help them? For example, it’s easier to criticize someone who is gay that you don’t know, but when your unmarried granddaughter tells you she is bisexual, then it changes the focus. Instead of pointing a finger and condemning her, we pray for her, we shed tears, and we find ways to love her. She knows what we believe. It’s not our job to shut her out.

On a personal note, perhaps someone questions my faith because of my lifestyle or my interpretation of Scripture. For example, I enjoy beer, which may be seen as an affront to some. I believe in both God’s sovereignty and free will. We choose to sin. I think that all the gifts of the Spirit are for men and women. I believe in infant baptism and believer baptism. Now that I have your attention, you may not want to continue reading this devotional.

It's easy to be critical of others. It boosts my ego to know that my theology is more enlightened than theirs or my lifestyle is holier. When my arrogance takes over, it makes it easier for me to judge someone else for their less-than-Godly lifestyle. When I think my sins are less egregious to God, I’ve lost the humility that comes with knowing I am a sinner saved by grace. It’s harder to care for someone and guide them towards a more biblical lifestyle when you think you are better than they are. Condescension is the opposite of caring. You don’t have to accept the lifestyle or theology of another person to show kindness towards them.

The Apostle Paul wrote in his letters to the churches about the struggle with secularism in the church. We all struggle with issues.

Jesus’s words are very clear:


PRAYER
Lord, it is easier for me to condescend to others than to encourage. May you help me to see others as lost sheep rather than irritable goats.

QUESTIONS
Is there someone in your life who irritates you?

Can the Lord change your perspective?