Overcoming a Fault-Finding Spirit Through Christ

Overcoming a fault-finding spirit requires a deep, personal transformation through beholding the character of Christ and shifting your focus from the mistakes of others to your own need for grace. 🕊️

Look to the Divine Model

The most effective way to change your disposition is to spend time studying the life of Jesus ChristBEcho October 22, 1894, par. 7+1. By constantly "looking unto Jesus," you instinctively begin to copy His virtues and become imbued with His spirit of love and patienceST June 10, 1886, par. 2+1. As you become acquainted with His perfection, you will naturally discover the serious defects in your own character, which makes it much harder to focus on the flaws of others Hebrews 11:22BEcho October 22, 1894, par. 7.

Practice Honest Self-Examination

Instead of being a "watchman" over your brother’s conduct, God calls you to deal honestly with yourself and your own mistakes5MR 445.1+1.

• Identify your own faults: We often have traits of character that are offensive to God but which we pet and indulge3LtMs, Lt 42a, 1878, par. 3.

• The Mirror of the Law: Use God's holy law as a mirror to discover your own defects4LtMs, Ms 5, 1886, par. 7.

• Cast out the beam: Before you try to pull a "mote" out of your brother’s eye, you must first cast the "beam" out of your own Matthew 7:3-5.

Cultivate Love and Practical Kindness

A fault-finding spirit disturbs your own happiness and pleases the enemyAY 70.1. To combat this, you must intentionally choose a different path:

• Speak words of blessing: Use the talent of speech to help and encourage others rather than to criticizeMR760 12.4+1.

• Esteem others: Spiritual advancement is impossible until you learn to esteem others better than yourself3LtMs, Lt 42a, 1878, par. 3.

• Follow the Golden Rule: Remember that as you judge others, you will be judged yourself Matthew 7:1-2RH March 17, 1903, par. 10.

• Pray for a heart of flesh: If you see "iron" in your heart, pray earnestly for Christ’s tenderness and love toward the erringPaM 212.2+1.

Understand the Danger of Criticism

Finding fault is a "rock" on which many have wrecked their spiritual lives5MR 445.1.

• It grieves the Spirit: The Holy Spirit is driven away by an unchristlike spirit and contentionGW92 369.3+1.

• It is a snare of Satan: Unless you overcome the disposition to tattle and magnify wrongs, you may be fastened in Satan’s snare for eternityPH155 18.2+1.

• It misrepresents religion: Harshness and gloom give children and unbelievers a false impression of the joy found in ChristEv 580.2.

Seek Divine Help Daily

You cannot change your heart by your own power, but Christ will save everyone who comes to Him in faithMR760 12.4. Humble yourself under the hand of God, and He will add His perfection to your humble efforts11MR 284.5. When you are tempted to be sharp or dictatorial, remember that Jesus pities the erring and corrects them in love15MR 170.2+1. Make an entire consecration to God today, and He will give you His gentleness and patienceAY 70.1+1. 📖✨