"When you judge another person,
you do not define him or her, you define yourself."
- Wayne Dyer
you do not define him or her, you define yourself."
- Wayne Dyer
As One Dead
#powerofwords
Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses ... "Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" ... So the anger of the LORD was aroused against them ... suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow... So Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us ... Please do not let her be as one dead."
Numbers 12:1-2,9-12 (NKJV)
And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart... Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
1 Chronicles 15:29; 2 Samuel 6:23 (NKJV)
Where do you see barrenness? Is there a person, a relationship, or a church you know of which lacks spiritual life, as one dead or dying?
Is a critical spirit present?
Here are two biblical examples of a critical spirit leading to quenched life. It is a simple matter of sowing and reaping. Critical words tear people down, robbing them of life. Those who speak them are likewise robbed of life.
Ironically, a common response when recognizing that someone has judgmental and critical spirit is to ... judge and criticize the person. Do you see a problem here? If we want to reap spiritual life, we must consistently sow words of life and love. (I speak as one who's lived on both sides of the problem.)
Perhaps the people who need such words most are the critical and judgmental ones, who need an example of someone gently and lovingly sharing with them where and why things are amiss.
Father, thank You for looking at Your children without condemnation. Please let us see one another through eyes of love first, and then with discernment of how to speak words of healing and peace. Please fill our hearts and mouths and keyboards with words of life.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
#powerofwords
Then Miriam and Aaron spoke against Moses ... "Has the LORD indeed spoken only through Moses? Has He not spoken through us also?" ... So the anger of the LORD was aroused against them ... suddenly Miriam became leprous, as white as snow... So Aaron said to Moses, "Oh, my lord! Please do not lay this sin on us ... Please do not let her be as one dead."
Numbers 12:1-2,9-12 (NKJV)
And it happened, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the City of David, that Michal, Saul's daughter, looked through a window and saw King David whirling and playing music; and she despised him in her heart... Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.
1 Chronicles 15:29; 2 Samuel 6:23 (NKJV)
Where do you see barrenness? Is there a person, a relationship, or a church you know of which lacks spiritual life, as one dead or dying?
Is a critical spirit present?
Here are two biblical examples of a critical spirit leading to quenched life. It is a simple matter of sowing and reaping. Critical words tear people down, robbing them of life. Those who speak them are likewise robbed of life.
Ironically, a common response when recognizing that someone has judgmental and critical spirit is to ... judge and criticize the person. Do you see a problem here? If we want to reap spiritual life, we must consistently sow words of life and love. (I speak as one who's lived on both sides of the problem.)
Perhaps the people who need such words most are the critical and judgmental ones, who need an example of someone gently and lovingly sharing with them where and why things are amiss.
Father, thank You for looking at Your children without condemnation. Please let us see one another through eyes of love first, and then with discernment of how to speak words of healing and peace. Please fill our hearts and mouths and keyboards with words of life.
Contrasting points-of-view, questions and feedback are invited. Post to BuildingHisBody.com "Comments" or e-mail to BuildingHisBody@gmail.com. Copyright 2009, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.
Wonderful post. I learned long ago to feel sorry rather than angry at belligerent people.
ReplyDeleteOh wow. ... This hits home today -- we're dealing with some heavy stuff at church.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne, for speaking Truth, as you always do...
Amen, give me Your eyes so I can see clearly Lord.
ReplyDeleteIt's much easier to criticize what's been done by others than to complete the task yourself. I've found that to be the case in almost all aspects of life.
ReplyDeleteCriticism in our society passes for analysis. It gives the critic an appearance of sophistication, yet it's the simplest form of communication. And the most elementary.
And yes, I'm being critical of criticism. *sigh* ;)
I read this carefully and I'm going to come back and read it later, too.
ReplyDelete~ Wendy
T. Anne, having learned this, you are close to the Master.
ReplyDeleteJennifer, I pray right now that the Lord will humble hearts before Him, so that the leading of His Holy Spirit might be heeded.
Denise, if we see through the Lord's eyes I can't imagine we'll judge and criticize.
Gwen, the thing about criticism (vs. critique) is that it fails to present an accurate picture, no?
Wendy, I pray that the Lord Himself will speak to you all He wishes you to take from this.
This seems a good place to come.
ReplyDelete"When you judge another person,
ReplyDeleteyou do not define him or her, you define yourself." - Wayne Dyer
Wow, that's a powerful quote. Mind if I borrow it? Blessings to you, Beautiful! Amy
Been there, done that! May the Lord keep me from being judgmental but will always judge myself in order to please Him. Tks for the reminder, Anne.
ReplyDeleteS. Etole, I hope you're always comfortable here. I appreciate you stopping in.
ReplyDeleteAmy, you make me laugh, and I'll keep the smile a while. Of course you can use the quote. It doesn't belong to me to keep away from anyone who'd appreciate it.
Bible Lover, I hope we're all growing more Christlike every day.