Sermons on Higher Criticism:

How To Deal With Critical Christians

Contributed by David Scudder on Jun 21, 2010

The problem with being critical is that is what other other people do. When we are being critical we often call it being discerning, or perceptive, or astute, or sensitive. This is a sin that almost all of us struggle with to one degree or another. After

II Corinthians 6:1-10 Purpose: To show the proofs of a faithful follower of Christ. Aim: I want the listener to be slow to criticize in order to protect the Gospel. INTRODUCTION: Paul was no stranger to criticism. One of the reasons Paul wrote first and second Corinthians was to answer his ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 6:1-10

Denomination: Independent/Bible

"The Critical Element Of Faith”

Contributed by Dennis Deese on Jul 22, 2009

The theme of these verses is found in 2:17. They were having faith problems, that due to lack of attention, had gotten out of hand. The sad thing is they were unaware of just how bad it was, what they were thinking and doing as a result of their weakene

“THE CRITICAL ELEMENT OF FAITH” Dr. Dennis Deese - www.dennisdeese.com MALACHI 2:17-3:6 The theme of these verses is found in 2:17. They were having faith problems, that due to lack of attention, had gotten out of hand. The sad thing is they were unaware of just how bad it was, what they were ...read more

Chains, Critics, Crises, And Courage

Contributed by Mark Roper on Feb 22, 2008

Only he who can say, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life’ can say, ‘Of whom shall I be afraid?’

Chains, Critics, Crises, and Courage Topic: Only he who can say, ‘The Lord is the strength of my life’ can say, ‘Of whom shall I be afraid?’ The apostle Paul was such a man. A man who was no stranger to Chains, Critics, and Crises in his life. A man who learned to be content in Christ, who ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 1:12-18

Denomination: Church Of God

How To Overcome A Critical Spirit

Contributed by Jim Erwin on Dec 13, 2007

You can be someone who steps forward. You can look at the positive and the good and how something could be. This is the right way to handle a critical spirit in your own life.

How to Overcome a Critical Spirit Numbers 13:16-33 Near the end of C. S. Lewis’s "Chronicles of Narnia" Aslan the Lion takes Lucy, Edmund, Peter and everyone to the New Narnia--to what we would call "heaven" or the New Creation. It is a place of astonishing light and beauty; a place where every ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 13:16-33

Denomination: Baptist

Seeing Jesus' Transfiguration Is Critical! Series

Contributed by T.j. Conwell on Aug 21, 2014

The Disciples seeing Jesus transfigured before their very eyes revealed not only the promise of the Law, the fact that EVERYTHING the Father puts into motion is fulfilled, but it shows us that Jesus really IS the Son of God!

Seeing Jesus Transfigured is Critical Mark 9:1-13 - Jesus is demonstrated in this book as a “servant” -- Key verse: Mark 10:45, “For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.” - IMP: What God says to us here ...read more

Scripture: Mark 9:1-13

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Corrosive Talk - Complaining And Criticizing Series

Contributed by David Owens on Oct 24, 2016

In this sermon, we explore what the Bible says about complaining and criticizing, and then look at how we can stop complaining and criticizing.

Introduction: A. Today, we are continuing in our series called: “Speak Life – Speaking Words that Heal, not Hurt.” 1. The Bible tells us that words have the power of life and death. 2. God’s desire is for all of us to learn how to control our tongues so that our words ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 2:14-15

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Criticizing Leaders (Numbers 12)

Contributed by I. Grant Spong on Nov 15, 2024

When is it appropriate to criticize church leaders, and when not? Let's look at Numbers 12.

What does God think about a critical attitude towards His leaders? Is it all too common in our churches? Let’s look at Numbers 12. Why did Miriam and Aaron denounce Moses? Miriam and Aaron began to talk against Moses because of his Cushite wife, for he had married a Cushite. “Has the Lord spoken ...read more

Denomination: Baptist

Staring Down Your Critics Series

Contributed by C. Philip Green on Dec 19, 2024

Behold the glory of the Lord and be bold in your service for the Lord.

There is an old Peanuts cartoon, in which Linus has just written a comic strip of his own, and he wants Lucy's opinion. In the first frame, he tentatively hands Lucy his comic strip and says, “Lucy, would you read this and tell me if you think it is funny?” In the next frame, you see Lucy ...read more

Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1-18, 1 John 3:2-3, Jeremiah 31:31-34, Exodus 34:29-30

Denomination: Evangelical Free

The Dead Dog Syndrome

Contributed by Jeff Strite on Jul 17, 2002

Shimea suffered from a spiritual illness that plagues many Christians. How did it reveal itself and how can we be healed?s

THE DEAD DOG SYNDROME 9/98 ILLUSTRATION: There’s a story about a crazy old woman who was known to be crazy because she would walk down the streets talking to herself. One of her best known pastimes was talk to Jesus... and Jesus would talk back. One day a new preacher came to town and thought ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Fire Of The Contentious

Contributed by Terry Laughlin on Aug 27, 2022

A contentious spirit is like fire which burns up all that is good, and puts families, friends and co-workers at odds. This spirit finds a small fire of strife, kindles it and keeps feeding the issues which cause distrust, hatred or malice.

Fire Of the Contentious The Negative Influences of a Person Who Seeks Strife The King James Bible tells us “As coals are to burning coals, and wood to a fire; So is a contentious man to kindle strife.” (Proverbs 26:21) “Contentious” (?????? ma?ôn) means to be argumentative, a person who is ...read more

Scripture: Proverbs 26:21

Denomination: Evangelical/Non-Denominational

Dead Dog Syndrome Series

Contributed by Troy Borst on Nov 10, 2022

The Dead Dog Syndrome (a critical spirit) can infect us or the people around us and is destructive in whatever direction it is focused.

[the title for this sermon comes from another contributor, but the content is my own] THE VERY RELATABLE LIFE OF KING DAVID DEAD DOG SYNDROME 2 SAMUEL 16:5-14, 19:15-23, PSALM 3:1-8 #kingdavid INTRODUCTION... A Little Quiz (p) I would like to begin this morning with a little quiz. I need you to ...read more

Scripture: 2 Samuel 16:5-14, 2 Samuel 19:15-23, Psalm 3:1-8

Denomination: Christian/Church Of Christ

Don’t Be A Bumper Car Christian

Contributed by John Gaston on Jul 25, 2016

Life is a lot like “bumper cars.” Do you want to bump those who bump you? That may be a fun strategy for bumper cars, but it’s a terrible strategy for life. Jesus shows us a better way!

DON’T BE A BUMPER CAR CHRISTIAN Jn. 13:34-35 INTRODUCTION A. HUMOR: CHURCH BULLETIN 1. An English teacher was at church reading a poster on the wall (not our church) which ended with “Donations Excepted.” 2. She couldn’t resist and marked through the word ...read more

Scripture: John 13:34-35

Denomination: Assembly Of God

Criticism Gets To The Top Lesson 26 Series

Contributed by Elmer Towns on Mar 28, 2017

Ten lessons about criticism

A. BE CAREFUL WHO AND WHAT YOU CRITICIZE: NUMBERS 12:1-16 1. Is this a family squabble? “Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses” (12:1). They were Moses’ older sister and brother. 2. Were they influenced by public opinion? “When the people ...read more

Scripture: Numbers 12:1-16

Denomination: Baptist

Playing God PRO Sermon

Contributed by Sermon Research Assistant on Oct 25, 2025

The sermon urges us to surrender judgment, embrace mercy, and let God transform our critical spirit into kindness and grace toward others.

Some of us carried a quiet critic into church today. He rode in the car with us, sat beside us during worship, and has opinions about everything from traffic to the tempo of the first song. He’s subtle—civil even—but he speaks in sighs, shrugs, and silent scores. We know his voice: the whisper that ...read more

Scripture: Matthew 7:1-2

Topics: Criticism, Judgment

Finding And Following Your Critical Path

Contributed by Nigel Heath on Sep 15, 2009

Finding your critical path and keeping to it - the direct route from where you are now to where God wants you to be - is the highway of holiness, the narrow road that leads to life and the secret of finding immense fulfilment in the Christian life; a trut

13.9.09 FINDING AND FOLLOWING YOUR CRITICAL PATH Philippians 3:7-14 INTRO Conversation with a Christian friend the other day: Had discovered and was following her ’critical path’. What is your critical path? It’s knowing where you want to be, or are meant to be -- And knowing where you are now -- ...read more

Scripture: Philippians 3:7-14

Denomination: Baptist