Less Criticism; More Love

1 "Do not judge, or you too will be judged. 2 For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. 3 "Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in someone else's eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? 4 How can you say, 'Let me take the speck out of your eye,' when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? 5 You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from the other person's eye.
Matthew 7:1-5


I have a close friend that is a dear brother in the Lord and if he has any faults at all, it would be that he is very critical of other people. The ironic thing about this personality trait of his is the fact that his fleshly criticism of other people puts up a huge wall between him and others in such a way that the love of Christ that I know exists in his heart is clouded and at times cannot be seen when the judgmental wall of criticism is up. Indeed there is a plank in his own eye that exists as he points out the specks that exist in other people all around him. I wonder what kind of influence he would have and in what ways God would use the incredible talent that he created in my friend if he would just show a little less criticism and reflect more love onto the world around him. As you journey through the world today in an effort to enjoy God’s presence in your life and in an effort to let His love shine through your heart, remember that other people are on a journey as well and only God knows their story and how He is transforming their hearts and lives to be more like Him, so please, don’t get in the way of God’s restoring power in their life, just love them with the love of Christ and watch how God performs a miracle in your midst as you live your life for the King!