Criticism. It fills the news feeds. Too often, it fills the churches. Strange that there is not much difference between the hell bound and the heaven bound in this regard. Flesh is flesh. Unsaved flesh and saved flesh looks exactly the same.
Constructive criticism motivated by love and articulated to build up is healthy. But we all know there is unhealthy criticism. Paul warned the Galatian believers, “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another” (Gal. 5:15). Sadly, the biting and devouring is often done in the name of taking a stand of holiness. What an unholy way to uphold holiness! But many of these stands are just expressions of selfish obsessions, not clear absolute truth. When this is the case, no one is edified. Instead, many are hurt.
In the list of the works of the flesh, there are three examples that often get overlooked: “strife, seditions, heresies” (Gal. 5:20). Strife is a factious spirit that polarizes. Seditions are dissensions. Heresies are simply schisms or unwarranted divisions. It appears that one fleshly manifestation leads to the next. Criticism is often an intrinsic part of strife, and polarizing factions unchecked can lead to unbiblical divisions. In the end, many are hurt, some with long-term impact.
As I’ve watched this over the years, those who criticize others regarding a given matter could easily be criticized over different matters—easily. Some who argue for their view of a holiness application regarding a particular matter are quite vulnerable to being criticized for not being so above board in other matters. It’s clear to everyone but them. Yet, it’s amazing to me how some can be as mean as a snake in the name of holiness. The devil laughs, the world wonders, and the Spirit is grieved.
What verse best describes your family and your church?
Galatians 5:14 “For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.”
Remember, love is the fruit of the Spirit as people walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:16, 22-23).
Or…
Galatians 5:15 “But if ye bite and devour one another, take heed that ye be not consumed one of another.”
Remember, strife, dissensions, and unwarranted divisions are the works of the flesh (Gal. 5:19-21). It’s manifest.
John Van Gelderen
Post Author
Great thoughts…
Thanks Mike!
Thank you, Bro. John…a much-needed point for reflection. I’ve been on both the critical end (praise God for His forgiveness and mercy), and, after repenting of that, on the criticized end. One thing I learned: Nothing blinds us to our own carnality like a critical spirit as described in this article. Godly discernment manifests the fruit of the Spirit, never the works of the flesh.
I’m sure we have all been on both ends of this! Thanks for your comments.
When on the receiving end, we who are suppose to be spiritual must guard ourselves against self-justification. When tempted to be on the sending side, we must first ask what is our motivation behind “feeling” the need to engage. If it is to genuinely and sincerely help, our words will not be bathed in tones of wounding but in helping and healing. Galatians 6 instructs us to help other believers bear certain burdens. We can’t accomplish that if we are emotionally charged in harpooning others. Thanks for your insight, John.
Good thoughts. Thanks!
Thank you, brother. Too often we make “speaking” in “speaking the truth in love” the emphasis, and we substitute “the truth” with “my strong opinion.” Then we leave out “love” altogether. Standing firm and contending for the faith is important, but we can’t elevate our opinions to being Gospel. I had what I thought was a biblical conviction on an issue as a younger man. My wife patiently and submissively followed my lead. But every time that issue came up, she’d say “Caleb, what you’re saying makes sense, but where is it in the Bible?” To my shame, I was… Read more »
So well said!! And thanks for your testimony!
Brother John
Appreciated this article….well done.
Thanks Gary!
Thank you, John, for your insights. How we need to understand the true Spirit-filled life that gets to the truth instead of trusting rumors, opinions, and perceptions.
Well said!
The ultimate goal with any biblical criticism is repentance and restoration.
Problem is, too often, immature and carnal pastors and church leadership will question motivates and theorize some things aren’t dealt with in the Bible… this making the Word of God nothing by their traditions of justification of sin, whether it be CCM or platforming CCM loving pastors, or watching movies and TV with sexually graphic content, like Forrest Gump, for example.
A older friend recently shared a life-lesson: “When listening to a friend with whom you disagree about a point in scripture, try to encourage them in the good of the truth in the Word rather than arguing with them about your disagreement. If you try to argue with them it just becomes a fight that discourages everyone involved.” This was not to encourage to passivity but to recognize that God is the ultimate Corrector and Judge or others and we would be wise to encourage them toward Him and His Word rather than try to convince them how wrong they… Read more »
Well said. Thanks!
I don’t disagree with the main point of your article because we all can succumb to a critical spirit, but I find this article specifically pointed at (critical of) those who are willing to take a stand in today’s day and age. The very predominant spirit of the day in Christianity is to not take a stand for holiness, to just lay down and not fight for truth or even matters of personal holiness (entertainment, dress, music, alcohol). Yet this article suggests there is a problem of a critical spirit only by those who “in the name of taking a… Read more »
Thank you for your input. I appreciate your pointing out that the article should have also said it is wrong to bite and devour those and that which is legitimate. That would have been helpful. Let me give a biblical example of what I am addressing. The Pharisees condemned the disciples of Jesus for plucking grain and eating it on the Sabbath. They did this in the name of obeying the law. “But when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto him, Behold, thy disciples do that which is not lawful to do upon the sabbath day” (Matt. 12:2). The… Read more »