Coping With Critics Series

COPING WITH CRITICS

(Mat 7:1- 6, 12) "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ’Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye. "Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet, and then turn and tear you to pieces. So in everything, do to others what you would have them do to you, for this sums up the Law and the Prophets.

Introduction: We are all critics! GOOD OF BAD?

A. A critic is one who forms & expresses opinions or judgments of a person of thing.

B. A good critic makes careful analysis in an objective attempt to determine both merits and faults.

C. A bad critic is one who indulges in faultfinding and censure in his judgments.

D. Words used to describe one who criticizes to hurt and condemn rather than to help and improve include:

·Hypercritical = a person who places the emphasis on faults or shortcomings.

·Faultfinding = a habitual or unreasonable emphasis on faults of shortcomings.

·Captious = finding fault with and exaggerating the most trivial matters, or pettiest details.

·Caviling = unreasonable complaints, raising quibbling objections to the most trivial matters.

·Carping = peevish, perverse finding of faults with the implication that they are deserving of blame.

1. RETRIBUTION TO THE CRITIC. (Mat. 7:1-2)

A. It is wrong to judge with a critical spirit.

Jesus is not speaking of discerning between right and wrong, but rather passing critical condemnation on a person.

Scripture teaches that we are to judge in the following ways:

1. Judicial judgment = before a court of law (John 18:31)

2. Judicial condemnation = once sufficient evidence for guilt has been established in a court of law. (John 7:51)

3. Discernment = of spiritual truth. (I Corinthians 10:15; Acts 17:11)

4. Use of common sense = in drawing accurate conclusions. (Luke 7:41)

5. To regard something as being so based on careful observation of available evidence. (Acts 16:15; Matthew 7:15-23)

Scripture teaches that we are not to judge in the following ways.

6. In areas beyond our scope of authority. In other words, "Mind your own business". (I Thess. 4:11; I Peter 4:15)

7. Presumptuously, based on suspicions and unconfirmed rumor; to pass judgment on motives. (Job 1:8-11)

8. Hypocritically = judging the minor faults of others while ignoring our own greater sins. (Romans 2:1; Matthew 7:1-5)

9. Hastily = based on mere outward appearance. (John 7:24; Proverbs 18:13)

10. Unwarrantably = going beyond the scope of revealed truth in the Bible. (Col. 2:20-23)

11. Unfairly ignoring everything favorable in a person. (Examples: King David, JESUS)

12. Unmercifully = hunting for every possible flaw we can find. (Matt. 23:21) …strain at a gnat…

13. Condemningly = eager to pass harsh sentences on the ones we judge. (Luke 6:37)

B. The reason it is wrong is that our knowledge of relevant information is limited.

C. It is certain that you will be judged as you judge. (Matt 7:2)

2. THE REASON PEOPLE JUDGE WITH A CRITICAL SPIRIT. (Mat. 7:3-5)

A. The critic ignores the need for self examination. (Mat. 7:3)

B. The critic shows a spirit of pride. (Mat. 7:4; Gal 6:1-2)

C. The critic fails to seek personal improvement. (Mat 7:5; 2 Cor 7:1)

3. RESPONSE TO THE CRITIC. (Mat. 7:6)

A. Do not expose yourself to the critic.

B. Do not be disturbed by the rejection of the critic. (John 15:18-21)

C. Do not be surprised at the attack of the critic. (Gal. 5:15)

4. REBUKE OF THE CRITIC. (Mat. 7:12)

A. Desire the best for everyone. (Rom. 12:14)

B. Do your duty to everyone. (Rom. 13:8)

C. Meet God’s demands for everyone. (Rom. 12:21)