The cost of a critical attitude
In the story God got a bit serious on Moses’ sister Miriam. Why? Because she criticized her brother Moses. You think your critical attitude is no big deal? It is to God. Maybe you’ve grown up in a family where everyone’s’ getting at each other all the time. You can’t enjoy the good things in life because all you’ve known to do is nit-pick, nag and jump to conclusions (usually negative ones). You need to know that Jesus has shown us much better way of life. Here’s a quick definition of a critical attitude: focusing on somebody’s faults but ignoring their good points. If you look closely enough at anybody (except Jesus!) you’ll find faults. But, are they really faults- or do you just misunderstand them?
Do you walk through life saying, ‘That’s not fair!’ Or, ‘I wouldn’t do it that way!’? You’re never going to be happy looking at the world like that. Jesus used a really funny image when he was talking to people who were always being critical, ‘…first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly…’ (Luke 6:42 NIV) Do you get it – who are you to pick faults, Mister or Miss Perfect? So what’s the right way to act then? Simple, if you notice an issue, and you think maybe you can help, first pray about it and then sensitively raise it with the person involved. Open your conversation by saying, ‘Can we talk about this, I think I might be able to help.’
