October 31
________________________________________
ON CRITICISM AND SELF-CONFIDENCE
A poem by ILMA
When you become a believer, you mustn’t speak ill of each other
If you criticize and judge one another, you are attacking God’s law
The only thing we need to do is to obey God’s commands
You can’t think that the decree is only for others to follow
God alone, who gave the law, is the Judge
He alone has the power to save or to destroy
What right do you have to judge your neighbor?
You can’t predict or foresee what is going to happen in the future
You can’t assume that your plans are going to all happen
How do you know what your life will be like tomorrow?
Your life is like a mist, it is there now but can be gone next day
As believers, you need to rely only on God’s grace and plans
You cannot predict things will happen for that is a form of boasting
All boasting is evil and remember it is sin to know what to do and not do it.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. – James 4:11
Read: James 4:11-17
Why is it easy for us to criticize than to affirm someone? It is part of our fallen nature to point other people’s sin or weaknesses rather than examine our own faults. When we talk evil of others or criticize them, we are questioning God’s creation. All of us are created by God, so what right do we have to say that his creation is evil or mediocre?
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think assumption and presumption is a form of boasting?
• Why does James consider boasting as evil? What is the source of arrogance?
• What are the consequences of judging or criticizing someone?
• Why is omitting to do what you know you need to do is considered a sin?
Tag Archives: criticism
THE DANGER WITH CRITICISM Poem Devotional
August 2
________________________________________
THE DANGER WITH CRITICISM
A poem by ILMA
Why do you condemn another believer or look down on some of them?
Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God; stop condemning others
Instead to live in such a way that you will not cause anyone to stumble.
On the authority of the Lord Jesus, no food, in and of itself, is wrong to eat
But if someone believes it is wrong, then for that person, it is
And if another believer is distressed by what you eat, it is not loving
Don’t let your eating ruin someone for whom Christ died.
For the Kingdom of God is not a matter of what we eat or drink
It is living a life of goodness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit
If you serve Christ with this attitude, you will please God
So then, let us aim for harmony in the church and build each other up.
Don’t tear apart God’s work over what you eat; all foods are suitable
It is wrong to eat something if it makes another person stumble
You may believe there’s nothing wrong with what you are doing
If you do anything you believe is not right, you are sinning.
________________________________________
MEMORY VERSE
Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God. So, let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall. – Romans 14:12-13
Read: Romans 14:10-23
It is automatic for us to criticize instead of affirm and encourage. The danger with criticism is that it will definitely destroy relationships. No one wants to be with someone who’ll constantly criticize them and make themselves feel inadequate. We don’t want to be judged so, we need to let judgment be God’s work, not ours.
________________________________________
REFLECTION
• Why do you think it is easy for us to criticize rather than encourage?
ON CRITICISM Poem Devotional
March 20________________________________________
Don’t speak evil against each other, dear brothers and sisters. If you criticize and judge each other, then you are criticizing and judging God’s law. But your job is to obey the law, not to judge whether it applies to you. – James 4:11(NLT)
ON CRITICISM
A poem and essay by ILMA
When was the last time you judged or criticized?
Did you realize it was wrong; did you apologize?
Don’t speak evil against one another
You are all made into the image of your Father.
When you find fault with another person
You are judging God’s law with human reason
Obey the law and you will be free from judgment
God gave you these commands for your atonement.
________________________________________
Criticism is defined as the expression of disapproval of someone or something based on perceived faults or mistakes. Notice the word “perceived” in the definition? The one judging is actually applying his perception to the person’s behavior. Perception is usually colored by beliefs, experiences, culture and traditions. When you start thinking that someone’s behavior or attitude. You see it in the light of your own belief system and experiences. It is not necessarily true.
The bible cautions us on criticizing or judging others. We are all made in God’s image, so when we judge others, we are actually judging God himself. Our duty is to obey the commands set by God, not to justify ourselves and find fault in others.
PRAYER
Lord, deliver me from a critical spirit.
REFLECTION
What should you do when you feel the urge to judge someone?
For more testimonials about God’s word, please go to YouTube and type ILMA’s poem devotional or go to www.ilmaarts.com posts. To receive emails of my poem devotionals, email me at ILMA.ARTS.STUDIO@gmail.com