The Crippling Effects of Criticism 

By Pastor Tim Klassen

I’ll start by making something clear: there is a difference between being a critical thinker and having a critical attitude. There are many advantages to being a critical thinker. In order to be at our best, we must be willing to analyze ourselves, our structures and our successes (or lack thereof). When we think critically we are hoping to learn from our mistakes and inefficiencies. A critical attitude, however, has no redemptive aim. A critical attitude seeks to tear down with no hope of building up. Jesus said it like this, “judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned” (Luke 6:37). It is easy to judge others and criticize others. It is easy to judge institutions and organizations; it is easy to be critical of leaders and people in positions of power. I believer that Jesus has invited us and called us to a higher standard and a better way of living.

Rather than being consumed by a critical spirit or attitude, the God of the Bible invites us to believe the best in others. In the famous portion of Scripture often read at weddings, 1 Corinthians 13 speaks of the power of love in the following way: “Love bears all things [regardless of what comes], believes all things [looks for the best in each one], hopes all things [remaining steadfast during difficult times], endures all things [without weakening]” (1 Corinthians 13:7 AMP).

I wonder what our world would look like if, rather than rushing towards criticisms, we sought to look for the best in others? I wonder how many marriages would experience a radical turnaround if both individuals would first assume the best in each other, rather than the worst? I wonder how our communities and churches and social circles might flourish if our initial reaction was to believe the best rather than assume the worst? 

Criticisms have a crippling effect on the human soul. It is contagious and it is addictive. If you allow a critical mindset to form in you, it will grow and grow until it is rooted out and evicted. The Pharisees are a powerful picture in the Gospels of what a critical spirit will do to somebody. The Pharisees found fault with Jesus, who literally had no faults! He was God in the flesh; the only human being to live on this earth without sin — and yet they continually and consistently judged and criticized Him, ultimately sentencing him to a criminals death by crucifixion!

So how can you be set free from a critical spirit? I’ll remind you of these ancient words of wisdom from the Apostle Paul: “We are careful not to judge people by what they seem to be…” (2 Corinthians 5:16). It might seem like your boss does not care about you. It might seem like your teacher is cruel and lacks compassion. It might seem like your spouse does not care about your feelings. It might seem like other people are out to get you. My encouragement to you is to guard your heart from assuming the worst; guard your heart from what might seem to be the case; guard your heart from a critical spirit — and choose instead to believe the best. It’s the way of love. It’s the way of our Saviour who came to this world, and despite all of our stubbornness and sin, He laid down His life so we could be saved and united with Him.

Read the article in the St. Catharines Standard