it seems that criticism is something that we do as a sport. and we are so good at it. the church is into it too. but our leader isn't.
JESUS over in luke 6.41 & 42 says it this way in the message, it's easy to see a smudge on your neighbor's face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own. do you have the nerve to say, "let me wash your face for you," when your own face is distorted by contempt? it's this i-know-better-than-you mentality again, playing a holier-than-thou part instead of just living your own part. wipe that ugly sneer off your own face and you might be fit to offer a washcloth to your neighbor. or in other words made a difference in their life.
how is it that taking our most holy reason to criticize which is to make people do better it still falls way short in its effectiveness let alone of how it shows as the scripture says, an i-know-better-than-you-mentality which is pride. it doesn't work. that's the pragmatic reason for not doing it.
i found a quote from charles schwab this morning in which he said, "i consider my ability to arouse enthusiasm among men the greatest asset i possess. the way to develop the best in a man is by appreciation and encouragement."
the way for us to help a person to develop the best in them is not by putting them down but by building them up by appreciation and encouragement. but our pride likes to criticise because it makes us feel important. not a good thing.
but there is also the people-matter-to-GOD aspect which means HE really loves them so we must cut it out.
just some thoughts up here on the front porch...
3 comments:
Hey, Bill. Just found you.
I might add that it is not only pride that says "I'm better than you", but also (...achem...my own guilt here...) the pride that says, "I just want you to know that I KNOW what you did/said/whatever." I find myself 'calling people out' because I don't want them to think they've fooled me. Comes from a total place of Pride.
(Does that make sense?)
Anyway. One of the many faults me and The Big Guy have been trying to eradicate from my nature! :)
By the way, Adam Hamilton (pastor of Church of the Resurrection...can get you the link if you'd like....) just did a great sermon series on "How Christians Get It Wrong". It's been interesting, as a lifetimer of the Church.
We make things so complicated, when Christ and His message were so very simple....
Keep writing! :)
g
thanks for the comment, greta and it's great to have the connect.
Pride can complicate so many things and yet even though people recognize it as a downfall to their personality, they still let it get in the way. It seems to come more natural to critisize and talk down sometimes than look at at the uplifting and positive things. When going through hard times, especially. Yet, simply helping and giving ourselves to others fills our hearts with the ut most joy. It is hard to sometimes sweep the pride away and and understand some things are not meant directly top affect us that way, but to get our attention. It is much harder to be the filler of the glass rather than the emptier. As a follower of Christ, though, it has been scripted that it is not any easy road, only absolutely rewarding.
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