James’ Blog

The Lord recently has been dealing with my heart on the subject of criticism within my heart and in the body of Christ. We may justify our opinions thinking they are healthy to be aired, somehow our comments critical thoughts help. I don’t know if I have ever read in the bible of such a thing as “constructive criticism”. According to the dictionary criticism is:

1. the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything.
2. the act of passing severe judgment; censure; faultfinding.
3. the act or art of analyzing and evaluating or judging the quality of a literary or artistic work, musical performance, art exhibit, dramatic production, etc.

According to the Word of God there are several problems with faultfinding in the body of Christ. We are very familiar with the passage where Jesus tells us to get the plank out of our own eye, but how about the effects cause by criticism? I believe sometimes we don’t realize the power that is behind our criticism and the power of the spoken word (even behind one’s back). If we are part of kingdom authority shouldn’t we use our authority to bless and not curse? I find criticism is a sickness that needs attention and a healing word through His agape love. Paul explains in 1 Corinthians 11 that many physical ailments are caused by judging or being critical of each other.

1 Corinthians 11:28-32

A man ought to examine himself before he eats of the bread and drinks of the cup. For anyone who eats and drinks without recognizing the body of the Lord eats and drinks judgment on himself. That is why many among you are weak and sick, and a number of you have fallen asleep. But if we judged ourselves, we would not come under judgment. When we are judged by the Lord, we are being disciplined so that we will not be condemned with the world.

I think most of us want to see the body of Christ made whole physically and perfected in love. The days are evil and as it grows darker we will need each other more and more.  

1 Peter 3:8-9

 Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.