We want to do it all don’t we? We want to be the best spouse, parent, worker and friend. We want it all at the same time, and dang it, we want it right now! If we could go through a drive-thru window and pick up a newly improved version of ourselves, we would. Out we would drive, ready to engage with the world like never before. We would be…SuperPeople!
But we can’t, and gaining new characteristics like Jesus can seem like slow goings. Yet, through the power of the Holy Spirit, we are being transformed into the likeness of Jesus. We are taking on traits and characteristics of Jesus…if we allow Him to work in us, that is.
It has come to my attention several months ago (Thank you Holy Spirit) that I have a problem with criticism. I could dish it out, but Honey, I couldn’t take it. Yuck. And who wants to?
Criticism is a heart issue and a tongue issue. For out of the heart the mouth speaks (Luke 6:45), means that thoughts first generate in our heart and then travel to the mouth. If we do not use self-control, out of the mouth it flies, sometimes at rocket speeds!
Let me give you an embarrassing example…
One morning, I told God that I wanted to go all day without saying one critical thing about someone else. “Lord, please help me, I need your help.”
Well, about 3 hours into the day, I fell off the wagon. I was talking to my father-in-law and was “commenting” about someone else. “That guy is really anal!” Whoops! It slipped out of my mouth and it was like watching a gun fire in slow motion and I stood there looking at the smoke with disdain in my mind. Ugh!!! “See, Lord, I told you, I need your help.” Ugh!! Where is my drive-thru window?!
What I’ve learned is that the urge to say these fiery little quips is more frequent than I would like. Trying not to criticize was like going on a diet and trying not to think about food all day. I have to be slow to speak. I have to shut my mouth. I have to think before I speak…imagine that!
To Conquer Criticism, We Need:
- A Self-Controlled Tongue – We must fight the urge to say those nasty little comments. Self–Control might look like duct tape over our mouth. Our eyes might be wide-eyed and bulging out with the desire to say something, but we don’t. Remember, small victories lead to bigger victories.
- A Renewed Heart – We need a fresh perspective of others—to see people through the lens of God’s immense love for them. Does God love us in spite of all our sin? Yes! We can ask Him to put that same love deep into our hearts for others.
- A Realization that the World Will Keep Spinning Without Our Little Comments. – Maybe we should talk less? Sometimes we trap ourselves because we can’t keep our trap shut. What is the old adage? “Talk less and listen more.” Maybe we should ask ourselves, “Do I really need to say that?
We must always remember that Christ is working in us, not us working harder on ourselves, by ourselves. Ask Him to do the inner work in your heart, while you control that tongue.
Join me back on the wagon will you?
Prayer: Lord, would you help guide the words of my mouth and the thoughts in my mind today. Help me to build up others and not tear them down. I ask for your power and your might to be working actively in me to suppress anything that is not coming from your heart. I bless my words in Jesus name to be sweet words and given in a timely manner. Amen.
Blessings!
Bonnie
p.s. Dear Friend, I feel a tug on my heart from God for us to be especially mindful not to tear down other Christians with our words. Let’s honor the Lord together as we honor each other.
