---

As fundamental Baptists we are often labeled hard-headed, narrow minded, and overly critical. Certainly fighting the various battles and living in a wicked hour will produce a certain amount of any of these attributes. When you are surrounded by evil, compromise, and apostasy, not to mention quitters by the boat loads a certain amount of condescension and cynicism arises in all of us. Not to mention the fact that it is just plain easy to be critical. Benjamin Disraeli put it quite well when he said, "It is much easier to be critical than to be correct." By description, the person with a critical spirit dwells on the negative, and seems to always gravitate to any flaw that can be found. Critical people habitually complain, and they usually are always upset about something. Characteristically they often have little control over their tongue, their temper, or their tendency to gossip and slander. (Although when they gossip it isn't gossip, it is just telling it like it is.) What is the root of this spirit?

First, it should be understood that a Critical Spirit is really just a Disguise. Many think being critical is a sign of their intelligence and spiritual prowess. In reality the critical spirit is just a mask for wicked pride and self deception. Proverbs 21:2 says, "Every way of a man is right in his own eyes." By putting others down and being critical, an attempt is being made to feel more important or to be seen as someone who knows more. Oswald Chambers said, "Criticism leaves you with the flattering unction that you are a superior person." Usually the critical spirited are very insecure people. It's been my experience that the most critical people have become this way to disguise their own personal failures and weaknesses.

Second, the critical spirit is very Deceptive. You may have a critical spirit and not see it. I can’t count the times I’ve been around preachers who have announced, “the purpose of the meeting today is to encourage each other,” they followed that with, “we aren’t going to grind axes or be critical.” Those statements were then followed by their criticism of all the preachers who “only preach on sin”. Maybe I’m sheltered, but I can honestly say I’ve never heard any preacher who only preached on sin. What I’m saying is that sometimes those who are complaining about the critical spirit really have one. As men of God we have a duty to cry loud and spare not and to warn of the dangers of sin and compromise. Doing that does not mean we have a critical spirit. By the same token, because you won’t name sin, hardley means you do not have a problem with a critical spirit.

In conclusion, what are the ultimate dangers? One of the preeminent dangers of a critical spirit is the effect it will have on our family and on those who are closest to us. Children learn what they observe. If they live with a parent with a critical spirit, they will have it as well. The same is true of a pastor and his church.

If you are not sure if you have a critical spirit, ask a trusted friend. It has been said that “great men” talk about ideas and plans while “small men” just talk about each other. What do you talk about? If you have a nasty ol’ critical spirit, repent and get some help from God. A critical spirit drives people away worse than bad breath. Get it straightened out or you’ll end up old and lonely.

Pastor Steven E. Mays – Faith Baptist Church, Laurens, SC.
BroMays@FaithBaptistTrumpet.org