At Brickcity Community Church, we are given note pages each week with key verses and statements. During the sermon I write down other statements that Bill Maye makes that really hit home with me. While sitting in church today I had the thought that I wished I had a good way to keep all of my notes so that they would be easy to access and reference. It immediately occurred to me that I could type my notes into my blog and serve a dual purpose. Not only would I have a safe, accessible, and search-able place to keep my notes, but they would also be available for others to read. Hopefully anyone who takes the time to read these entries will find something in the notes that speaks to them or helps them in some way. It would be even better if the notes peak someones interest enough that they will want to hear the next sermon in the series. And if you can’t make it to BCC, you can listen to the sermons online.
Criticism Gone Bad
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless. James 1:26
People who constantly criticize others often do not realize the damage they are doing.
Three Root Causes of Destructive Criticism:
1. Jealousy-envy
When you are jealous, you criticize others and tear them down instead of rejoicing with them.
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones. Proverbs 14:30
Rejoice with those who rejoice… Romans 12:15
Ask yourself, “Am I truly happy for the good things others experience?”
We only have so much time here, do we want to spend it being jealous or rejoicing?
2. Negativity – see everything that is wrong about everything
For out of the overflow of his heart his mouth speaks. Luke 6:45
Negativity will build up inside you as righteous indignation – this can explode out of you and impact those around you, including your friends and family.
God did not give you the ability to see what is wrong so that you can be the mouthpiece for what is wrong, but to change things and protect those you don’t see the wrong.
…Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable-if anything is excellent or praiseworthy – think about such things. Philippians 4:8
Don’t be a downer, be a cheerleader.
…we sent Timothy to get you up and about, cheering yo on so you couldn’t be discouraged by these hard times. 1 Thessalonians 3: 2-3
Who are you going to cheer on?
3. Sarcasm aka “class clown”
The cut-down is the most deceiving of all types of bad criticism. It tears people apart.
Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place… Ephesians 5:4
Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others… Ephesians 4:29
Speak words that edify.
It is one thing when we are acting a fool but it is something else when we are doing it to cut down others. Comedy is funny because it is true – you may say you are kidding, but you and the person know there is truth there – and it hurts.
We need to build people up but we are so focused on us, we do the opposite.
Brickcity Community Church’s Mission is to help people take their next steps towards Christ together. Our mission is too important and our words are too powerful to speak carelessly and risk damaging people.
In My Life:
If you know me personally, I hope that you will help hold me accountable. I really try hard to be an optimist and find the good and the positive in any situation. Even if I get stuck in traffic, I try to tell myself that I might be avoiding an accident by running later. The sarcasm piece is what really spoke to my heart and it is something I know I will struggle with. Ed and I are both very sarcastic – and I can say with all honesty that sarcastic statements made by me are not intended to hurt or cut down anyone. They are said for the laugh. I love to make Ed laugh and he and I understand when we make comments to each other that they are said for that purpose – we don’t mean to be hurtful and since we know that, these comments are accepted between us as a joke. However, since we do this so often with each other, it makes it second nature for sarcastic comments to come out with others – even our children. I am going to try very, very hard to use my words to build others up – not to get a laugh.
How much happier would we all be if we looked for the positive instead of dwelling on the negative?