Why We Should Not Criticize by L. L. C.

Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Oct 21, 1915

Why We Should Not Criticize

By L. L. C.

THERE is nothing that will sooner sap one's spirituality than indulging in a critical spirit. Overmuch attention to the faults of others not only causes bitterness of heart and loss of friends, but also causes us by beholding to become, to a certain degree, like those whom we criticize. “By beholding we become changed” is the law of the spiritual realm.

In Christ's Sermon on the Mount another reason why we should not judge others is given: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” Matt. 7:1, 2.

At the first glance this may seem to be somewhat at variance with the statement, found in the twentieth verse of the same chapter, “By their fruits ye shall know them.” It is right for us to form opinions concerning people, but it is wrong for us to set ourselves up as judges of other men, or to harbor a censorious spirit toward others.

“Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand.” Rom. 14:4. Praise be to God, who is able to make our neighbor stand.

It is so natural for us to notice our own faults when they occur in others, that if we examine ourselves we shall find the truth of Rom. 2:1: “Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things.”

Our judgment of one another often proves a stumblingblock to some one to whom it is repeated. “Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.” Rom. 14:13. This gives us another reason for not criticizing our brethren.

James, in his epistle, the fourth chapter and the twelfth verse, gives us another reason: “There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?” James 4:12. Only he who gave the law can judge how it should be kept. Besides, the keeping of God's law is a spiritual matter; for Christ has made it plain that his law deals with the motives. If a man hates his neighbor, he breaks the commandment “Thou shalt not kill.” No man is qualified to judge of any one's motive save his own.

There is a time for all things, but the present is not the time of judgment. Paul says: “Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God.” 1 Cor. 4:5.

Let us not bring discouragement therefore into our own hearts or into the hearts of others by doing that against which God has warned us in his Word.

L. L. C.