We sometimes criticize others unfairly. We don't know all their circumstances, nor their motives. Only God, who is aware of all the facts, is able to judge people righteously. John Wesley told of a man he had little respect for because he considered him to be miserly and covetous. One day when this person contributed only a small gift to a worthy charity, Wesley openly criticized him.
After the incident, the man went to Wesley privately and told him he had been living on parsnips and water for several weeks. He explained that before his conversion, he had run up many bills. Now, by skimping on everything and buying nothing for himself he was paying off his creditors one by one.
"Christ has made me an honest man," he said, "and so with all these debts to pay, I can give only a few offerings above my tithe. I must settle up with my worldly neighbors and show them what the grace of God can do in the heart of a man who was once dishonest." Wesley then apologized to the man and asked his forgiveness.
Here are a few questions I can ask myself when I'm tempted to criticize someone for something that they have (or haven't done):
1. Do I honestly know this person? Have I had enough interaction with them to know that what I am saying is accurate?
2. Do I still have issues that need to be resolved in my life? If I do, can I give the person that I am thinking about the same latitude that I would wish to receive if I were them?
3. Knowing how much Jesus loves other people, can I honestly say what I am about to say about that person without condemning myself by participating in relaying it to someone else?
A critical spirit isn't a Godly spirit. It's a plain and simple reminder that we Christians need to recall on a fairly regular basis.
