This was a response I sent to a friend of mine named Frederik when he asked me why I did not have a critical spirit. He wanted me to critize some video he sent me about people laughing in church.


Do you have a Critical Spirit?

Romans 14:10 “Why do you criticize and pass judgment on your brother? Or you, why do you look down upon or despise your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of God.(12) And so each of us shall give an account of himself - give an answer in reference to judgment - to God. (13) Then let us no more criticize and blame and pass judgment on one another, but rather decide and endeavor never to put a stumbling block or an obstacle or a hindrance in the way of a brother.” (The Amplified Bible)

What Exactly is a Critical Spirit?

A “critical spirit,” is an obsessive attitude of criticism and fault-finding, which seeks to tear others down — not the same thing as what is sometimes called “constructive criticism.” The only criticism that is ever constructive is that which is expressed in love to “build up,” not to tear down — it is always expressed face-to-face, never behind their back.


The person with a critical spirit
usually dwells on the negative,
seeks for flaws rather than good.

They’re a
complainer,
usually always upset, and
generally have a problem or a
complaint about something.

They often have little control over their tongue, their temper, and have tendencies for gossip and slander, which Paul said were sins “worthy of death” (Rom. 1:29-32).


What Causes a Critical Spirit?

1. Negativeness - A bad attitude and a negative view of life. A person may have unconfessed sin in their life (Rom. 2:1), or may harbor unforgiveness or bitterness toward someone who may have offended them (Heb. 12:15).

2. Insecurity - Criticism is often a subconscious means to “elevate one’s own self image.” By putting others down, they are inwardly trying to feel more important or that “they know more.” Jealousy toward the spiritual victories of others is often the cause of criticism and belittling comments. Popular ministers of the Gospel are often the target of such tactics.


3. Immaturity - Believers must always keep their focus upon Christ and His Word, not man, who will often fail (Heb. 12:2). The young or immature believer who has not progressed very far in their own faith, remain overly dependent upon the faith of those within the body of Christ. Unfortunately, when they begin to notice the flaws in their brethren, subconsciously, this becomes a threat to their own sense of victory. Criticism becomes a reaction of disappointment, because their expectations in others have been crushed.


4. An Unrenewed Mind - Put-downs, making-fun-of, criticism, sarcasm are the world’s ways of reacting to the faults of people. However, as Christians we don’t behave this way. Our thinking and attitude should be renewed by the Word of God, which teaches us to bear the infirmities of the weak, to love, and show compassion and encouragement (Rom. 12:2).


5. The Devil - As we may realize, the Devil specializes in influencing obsessive behavior. He may use any or all of the above channels, or other techniques, to influence a complaining or critical attitude to stir up turmoil and strife within the body of Christ (Eph. 6:12). We must be on guard that none of us would be used as a tool of the Devil to bring harassment or discouragement upon our brothers or sisters through continual criticism, as the Bible warns us not to “give place” to the Devil (Eph. 4:27). Remember that Satan is specifically called “the accuser of the brethren” (Rev. 12:10). Are you an accuser of the brethren?
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The Bible says that the reason that we are to come together as a church is, not to criticize, but to “exhort” (encourage) one another (Hebrews 10:25). “Cursing the darkness” won’t change anything, but we must light a candle and “expose the light” of God’s Word. By sharing the truth of God’s Word, and encouraging people to live in its truth, people will change. Love and encouragement is a “motivational force.”


If we ever hope to bring improvement in others, we need to become people of encouragement. This is the only attitude that will change people, and our actions and words must be devoted to encouraging the spiritual progress of our brethren.


The Christian’s tongue should never be used for anything but good. “Let no foul or polluting language, nor evil word, nor unwholesome or worthless talk (ever) come out of your mouth; but only such speech as is good and beneficial to the spiritual progress of others, as is fitting to the need and the occasion, that it may be a blessing and give grace (God’s favor) to those who hear it” (Eph. 4:29 The Amplified Bible).


This is an article by Dale Robbins I found it interesting. I hope you read it all.

I did not ask you why you do not have a critical spirit, I asked you why you are not critical of such things. I mean being critical is not necessarily bad. The bereans were also criticial.
And it wasn't only about the laughing, on these videos there was much more which concerned me than only the laughing.

Part of original post;
Dear Fredrick,
I would encourage you to please read All of Eph. 4. (as mentioned above)
It clearly discribes in these scriptures orderly confrontation with believers that is always motivated by love and for God's glory, not man's.
I hope this is helpful to answer your questions.
Blessings!!! Grace

Frederick,
Eph. 4 is a wonderful verse, but it wasn't the verse that I was thinking of "orderly confrontation with believers". Nor did the verse I was thinking of apply to "this" situation. Yikes!
My apologies, Grace

Thank You Pastor Jerry,
I could repeat the responses given here by my sisters in Christ (below)
This is a wonderful teaching. Grace

The Bereans were not critical. It says "they searched the scritpures to see if these things were so." They were WISE. They looked to God's Word as their final authority. That is snot critisism, that is right deviding The Word Of Truth.

I plainly see a criticle spirit in this family -- from my brother-in-law down to his children (his father had it, too). You just named for me the thing I was trying to put my finger on in my niece. The first thing she said when she came home last night was something criticle and negative. She will criticize the tiniest little thing (her Dad is the same way). So, this can also be a familiar spirit. It's what my nieces and nephews are used to, and I see them repeating the very same pattern. Even though they are saved, and he has strayed into the cult, they have this spirit influencing them. Now, I know what to pray is broken off of their lives.

~JeriRose~

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24 But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24)

Thank you Pastor Jerry for this wonderful teaching, it is very informative and something i needed to hear. After reading this, i can really see that this critical spirit is in operation in my own family and in my husband's family also. I can see how it has influenced several generations on both sides, but i didnt realize it was due to a familiar spirit. I guess i thought it was more like a pattern of behavior we learn as children from our parents and other role models. some family members are negative and critical about most everything to the point that its hard to even be around them so i tend to avoid them when possible but then feel guilty about this. when i am around negative/critical people it seems to really exacerbate my depression and anxiety. due to the depression and chronic illness I am always fighting against the negative thoughts myself and so when around very negative or critical people, it can become almost unbearable.

"Do you have a critical spirit?"

Yes.

I keep rereading this and I fall into all of those categories.

One of the reasons that I know that this is a spirit of criticism is that it is always the same.

My prejugdements run fast, strong and deep.

They leap on me suddenly.

They don't SEEM critical to me, they just seem LOGICAL to me.

I look at the patterns and well, when the pigeonhole fits, then they should wear it. Right? Now, THAT, folks, is a critical spirit.

Thanks, JG. Taking it to heart...

Rachel R

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Father of lights, every good and perfect gift is from YOU!!!
Vater des Lichts, alles was gut und Vollkommen ist, kommt von DIR!!!

I have this spirit, too, perhaps a familiar spirit on my side of the family -- mother definitely had it or still does. I bring myself down with my criticle thoughts of others (I tend to think it more than speak it -- for I have learned that speaking it is death to the hearer). But I stilll need free of it! I do not even want to THINK the criticle thoughts! One way I battle it, is when I think something criticle toward someone (and it might even be true -- like thinking they are lazy), I turn them over to God in prayer.

The devil has the ultimate criticle spirit. He is called the accuser of the brethren. I am praying, HARD, to be free of this spirit, for I DO NOT want to be lining up with him any way, shape or form!

~JeriRose~

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24 But let him who glories glory in this, that he understands and knows Me, that I am the LORD, exercising lovingkindness, judgment, and righteousness in the earth. For in these I delight,” says the LORD. (Jeremiah 9:24)

Frederik:

This is why I posted the Critical Spirit lesson.
Have you ever met anyone who sounds just like the person described in the Critical Spirit Lesson I posted above.

Jerry





Dear Frederik:

Here is the full text of the conversations we had going on in the Private Message section.

You posted






You had given me some links to some videos you made. I watched them but you did not like my comment.

God can be pretty wierd.

David danced before the ark of the covenant until his clothes came off.

That always bugged me because I am pretty sure I would have responded like the wife did, and God punished her.

I think there is one thing that God really likes.

I think he likes to be given control.

And when he takes control, sometimes it gets pretty strange.

To an average protestant like me, it can get pretty scarey.

But I don't run away anymore.

One man told me that our bodies are the temple of the Holy Spirit and he ought to get to do what he wants in his own temple.

I just hang around the edge and watch, but who knows? Maybe I'll jump in there someday!

Rachel R

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Rachel, one day I truly pray that you will jump in with the leading of the Holy Spirit. You will find freedom that will lead to overcoming many roadblocks we put in our own way. When we are led of the Holy Spirit we are on track and have no cause for worry being in the wrong.

Some have written that a critical spirit runs in their family, then break it in your family as it has become a generational sin and you have the power in Christ to do so. When the father sees a wife, a child, walking in sin and does nothing, that sin is on his head and will run thru the generations unchecked until it is remitted.

My mother walks in a crictical spirit and my father was afraid to confront my mom and let it be. I have seven brothers and sisters and guess what --we all walked in it. We learned it well and now I have nieces and newphews walking the same way. Praise God, my husband took authority over it in our familly and I repented of it. Our children do not walk in it.

I just had an interesting conversation with a gentleman who had been specifically asked to come to town to a particular church because in the last 20 yrs., 15 pastors died in that church. He would go in at night and begin to worship and he would worship in that church night after night. It was discerned there was a critical spirit that the "elders" had and it was aimed at the pastors.

That spirit is now rendered impotent, the elders were disbanded, the church repented and joy has broken out in a once very staid baptist church!!! Hallelujah!!!!!!

I have learned to use the 5 Rs in breaking free and you may find them very useful too in breaking the critical spirit. 1. Recognize it for what it is 2. take Responsibility over it 3. Renounce it 4. Repent for it 5. Rejoice in your new found freedom!!! blessings !!!