Date: May 14, 2023 ()

Bible Text: |

  • Definition of a critical spirit
    • Nicely exact; Having abilities to judge beauty or blemish; Inclined to find fault; Judging with severity
  • Description of a critical spirit
    • It is selfish (1 Corinthians  13: 4-5)
    • It is manipulative (1 Corinthians  13: 4-5)
    • It is fault finding (Proverbs 28: 23, Titus 2:15, Matthew 7:1-5)
    • It is argumentative (Proverbs 13:10)
    • It is condemning (Luke 9:54-56)
    • It is unmerciful (James 2:13)
    • It is unkind (Matthew 5:22, 1 Corinthians 13:4)
  • Development of a critical spirit
    • Pride (Luke 14:11, Proverbs 13:10)
    • Bitterness (Ephesians 4:31, Hebrews 12:15)
    • Sensitivity (2 Timothy 2:24, Psalm 119:165)
    • Control (1 Peter 5:3)
    • Carnality (1 Corinthians 3:3)
    • Hyper-Spirituality (Galatians 6:1)
  • Dangers of a critical spirit
    • It cuts (Proverbs 12:18)
    • It provokes
    • It destroys (Galatians 5:15)
  • Defeating a critical spirit
    • Identify the root cause
    • Remember your place (James 4:12)
    • Learn to love others (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)
    • Yield to the Holy Spirit
    • Remember where your strength comes from
    • Focus on fixing your own problems first (Matthew 7:3-5)
    • Humble yourselves (Colossians 3:13)
    • Forgive offenses
    • Guard your tongue
    • Give people the benefit of the doubt
    • Consider others
    • Remember the golden rule