THE SPIRIT OF CRITICISM: HOW IT ENTERS---AND HOW YOU BECOME ITS’ TOOL

Criticism is a vice of such frightful mein,That to be hated, only need be seen.
But, if seen too ‘oft, accustomed to its’ face,We first endure---then pity---then embrace.

The spirit of criticism will secretly impose itself on your will and personality to such a degree that you will regard it as entirely justified—in time you will wrongly accept its’ opinion as being your own.

Years ago, our church was growing rapidly, a hundred new members had been received, income had quadrupled, and God was moving miraculously. Lives were changed and people were daily being delivered from drugs, alcohol, or other form of Satan’s abuse. Pastors who heard of us flew in from out of state to receive ministry. The office was crowded during the week and the Sanctuary packed on Sunday. On Wednesday night, late-comers frequently sat in the vestibule. Then the criticism started. First it came from our denomination-–then strangely from people who previously had been very supportive and loving. Almost helplessly, I watched criticism spread its destructive effect and in a short time the church was reduced to a mere shadow of its former self. The Holy Spirit’s wonderful works were rejected in preference for denominationally-approved practice. Our church crisis made headlines on the front page of the local newspaper, good people were wrongly humiliated, and I was described as a pastor-thief who had stolen the church property from the founders. When those accusations became public, the congregation put a thousand dollars in the bank account, repainted the building’s interior, gave the keys to the critics, and more than 90 percent of the congregation walked out. Thankfully, the new church that organized out of the wreckage is blessed and thriving today. The original church is dead, the building sold, and in time will be forgotten.

My purpose in telling this story is not to review that pain or to criticize my critics. I have no need to do either. Rather, I want to share with you some valuable truths I learned during that costly experience. What I have to say will benefit and protect your own life. First and foremost, all of us need to be criticized. Since we usually cannot see our own mistakes, we need someone else to show them to us. Constructive criticism can therefore be a wonderful friend. Whether or not criticism blesses or destroys us depends on our reaction to it. Significantly, the effect on us does not depend on the criticism itself. Please hear me carefully on this point: A group of people can undergo the same criticism but each one be affected differently. Some recover, go forward in their service to God and resume useful Christian lives; others crash and burn, unable to resume any kind of ministry to the Kingdom. I write for this reason: You and I will be criticized—much of it will be deserved. However! A wrong reaction to criticism can be the most dangerous decision of our lives. Why do I say this?

Beside there being beneficial criticism there is also a "spirit" of criticism which wants to plant itself in you and perpetuate its’ attack on others through your mouth. Once entrenched, it will secretly impose itself on your attitudes and personality to such a degree that it seems entirely justified and right. In time, your decisions and statements will not be your own--but you will not realize it. Others will see your personality change but not you. Tragically, I have observed people who were wrongly criticized, who appeared to take it heroically, later become severe critics of others. Why? This is my primary reason for sharing this precaution to you: These individuals did not know that the spirit of criticism had successfully entered them. Its method of access was so subtle, so insidious, that it snared them without their knowledge. This is the "second-stage" effect of criticism. We might call these people the second-generation critics. They are not the ones who originated the problem---but they are the ones who perpetuated it.

Have you ever wondered why some families are marked by generations of jealousy, alcoholism, criticism, hot tempers, and a mile-long list of other evils? The tragedy of criticism is not a minor one. It is a murderer: It kills good reputations, holy ambitions, and godly success. People have it rooted deeply into themselves long before they realize the intensity of its power; frequently its’ process of destruction is already done before its’ presence is discovered.

For the first thirty years of my ministry (I am now in my 57th) I watched this happen to good people but did not know what the method of contamination was. Now I do. For example, in those early years I saw young people who hated traits of abuse, anger, jealousy, addiction, hostility, etc., in their parents and vowed never to become like them. Guess what? In time, they became exactly like them. Here is how it happened: The children despised that trait in their parents to the point their hatred became sin—and sin opened them for the spirit to take control of them. Sin is the door. Specifically: The spirit of criticism imposed itself on their will and personality to the degree that they regarded its’ attitudes as being their own. Love was replaced by resentment, acceptance by rejection, and kindness by criticism.

CRITICISM AND THE “SPIRIT OF SELF-DESTRUCTION.”

Whenever I hear preachers criticizing other denominations or ministries, I weep for them. Immediately, I know these men are plunging themselves into a pit of failure and hellish distress. A pastor who consistently points out the faults of others is actually teaching his people methods of attack. In time, the flock will learn his methods well. During that process, it is possible for them to take in a demon of criticism. If so, the target will shift from those outside the church and become the pastor and those inside the church. A body of believers that has become sufficiently infected with a negative, fault-finding spirit will turn on the one who taught it how. Let me say it again:

The pastor who criticizes is merely teaching his congregation how to attack himself.

When the victimizing pastor becomes the victim, he usually sees himself as a martyr for Christ. Nonsense! He merely succeeded in teaching his congregation how to be effective in his own art. In his resentment and rejection, such a person frequently goes into desperation with more accusations, poisons the minds of his children against the church, and sends them into the world with contempt for the things of God. Will it be easy for a pastor who has promoted such a critical spirit in his church or denomination to humble himself and admit his error? No. For most, it will be very difficult. And on the inside, the spirit may scream for its' continued protection. At that crucial moment, the choice is the pastor's. Some will not do it. Tragically, there are religious groups who deliberately use criticism of others as an instrument to keep their people isolated and under control. It works for a while. In time, however, destroyers are always destroyed. The same principle is true of laymen. Parents who criticize to their children will in time be criticized by their children. Children simply conform to what they are taught. And frequently, children intensify their parents' example by becoming more excessive than the generation before them. Some end up behind bars with mothers and fathers wondering why their children became social renegades. Long-standing family feuds continue to exist because of this pattern.

IS THERE A DIFFERENCE WITH MEN AND WOMEN?

Women are sometimes more vulnerable to a critical spirit than are men. Men are not exempt, but their vocal sin usually is less secretive and more violent. By nature women are more sensitive, more delicate, and thus more easily wounded. Satan preys upon a women's tenderness as his door of entry. Unfair? Yes. But he works that way. I have seen godly pastor's wives experience this hellish pattern. They come under unfair, abusive criticism, only later to become like the critics who wounded them. There is a paradox in Scripture about women "keeping silent in the churches" which I think finds its explanation in a woman's tenderness and vulnerability. There are equally abundant examples in the New Testament of women prophesying and operating in the vocal gifts in the church. Yet, in several places the Apostle Paul commands them to be in silence. In my own mind, the answer is found in this area of a woman's weakness to resist the hurt of sharp tongues. The Greek language does not have different words for “wives” and “women”. One word, “gunaíkes”, is translated for both. It seems apparent that the translation would better read, “Let you wives keep silent in the churches ...”

I am persuaded that it is “wives”---not women in general---of which the Scripture speaks. In God’s intended plan, wives who get into such circumstances should be able to turn to their husbands for protection and help. Tragically, in our day of broken homes (always because of criticism) many women have no husband to whom they can turn. Let me give you a hypothetical example: Mrs Montgomery was a gentle, loving, church member who came under an unjustified attack of criticism. Outwardly, she appeared to take it graciously. Inwardly however the wound was too deep for her to dismiss. A year later she became a severe critic of the same people whom she had earlier loved. She spread that criticism to others and wounded their lives with it. They in turn became critics. Mrs. Montgomery was not the one who initiated the original criticism; she was the one who received it. And she did not recognize that she had taken in the same spirit that was in those who wounded her. Worst of all, she did not realize that she contaminated those whom she most loved--her family and friends--with the deadly poison of criticism.

Someone may say, “Pastor, you are overestimating!” Believe me, I am not. In 57 years of preaching I have met numerous men and women who qualified for Paul's statement about “ unruly and vain talkers... whose mouths must be stopped". Obviously, there are many instances when people need to be told in firm words, "Be quiet! Say no more!" As a young pastor, I remember dismissing a congregational business meeting one time when an irate male member refused to be silenced. While he was still speaking, I signaled the congregation to stand, pronounced the benediction, escorted the people into the church yard, and left him alone in an empty building. More than once I have gone to such people and gently put my hand across their mouths. God forgive me for the times I have failed to do this and allowed wounding to result. To younger pastors, my precaution is, “Be wary of critics! They can destroy more than you can ever build.”

Church families, pastors included, need to realize that the only safeguard which prevents critical spirits from entering is to quickly follow Jesus' command: "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, Do good to them that, hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you." Matthew 6:44. Forgiving our critics does not man we agree with them or what they did is acceptable behavior. No. Forgiveness is not a luxury we extend to those who hurt us; it is an absolute necessity for our own protection. By forgiving others we cut the ropes that binds their wounds to us and we let those heavy burdens fall away. This prevents the spirit of criticism from entering us. Jesus gave the example at the cross when He looked upon His mob of critics and said, "Father, forgive them for they know not what they do!" He not only preached forgiveness but He practiced it.

God pours His Spirit on churches when the critics are gone. On the day of Pentecost there were no critics in the upper room. The disciples were in “one accord.” Oddly, instead of praying, people will criticize the church for the absence of the Holy Spirit and not realize they are the ones directly responsible for the church’s barren condition. Perhaps you have already noticed that God's method of pruning the vine He loves is to remove the critics. If need be, He will prune it all the way back to the stump and allow only new, uncritical growth to come forth. In contrast to the critical spirit, the Holy Spirit draws Christians together; He never divides the Body of Christ. Christ prayed for our unity---not our disunity. John 17:11,22. Whenever such division occurs in Christian relationships, be assured that the spirit of criticism has successfully done its work. Nor is he working just against the individual believer. His attack is against the Kingdom of God. Christians are frequently so uninformed that they do not recognize his motive in this attack. Criticism is Satan’s most effective "fifth column" which wreaks havoc among the saints.

FACTS ABOUT CRITICISM

1. The spirit of criticism never attacks the real problem: it attacks people and relationships.

2. Criticism is a master of disguise; it logically justifies its presence and actions.

3. Criticism always blinds the memory to good times in the past: It "burns the bridge behind it".

4. The final stage of criticism is physical and emotional illness.

MINISTRY FOR VICTIMS OF CRITICISM

If someone recognizes that he has a spirit of criticism, what can he do about it? Know this first of all, no unclean spirit ever leaves voluntarily. They have to be cast out by the authority of Jesus' name. Self-deliverance is possible through repentance, fasting, and prayer. More difficult cases need ministry through the laying on-of-hands by another true believer. Either way, you have no more choice of delay than you would with cancer. Here is an important test to put to yourself: Was there a time in your life when you went through a siege of criticism and immediately afterward you willfully separated yourself from friends of whom you became critical? If so, then you are a prime suspect of being both the victim and victimizer of criticism. That spirit wants to destroy you, your family, and everyone around you. Get rid of it! Do it now! You cannot afford the luxury of delay. Seek restoration with those from whom you have been wrongly separated. Only then can you step into freedom and deliverance. The end result of failure is your own physical and emotional illness -- and in those you love.

The Holy Spirit showed me wounded areas in which many believers are suffering from criticism and for which God wants to bring restoration. These conditions prevent men and women from achieving Christian maturity, personal happiness in their homes, work, and other areas. Everything suffers immeasurably because of the damage. As long as such circumstances remain undetected, these people can never become the complete person God meant them to be. Be aware of this: The spirit of criticism (like other unclean spirits) cannot enter you except through a sinful act. It does not enter automatically because you are criticized. It is your response that either opens or closes the door of opportunity for an unclean spirit.

The good news is this: The pattern can be broken. Jesus said, "I give you the authority to trample on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy, and nothing shall by any means hurt you." Luke 10:19. The power to tread down enemies includes the spirit of criticism. Make no mistake about it, the power of this villain can be broken in churches, denominations, families, offices, and individuals. I suggest you study the list carefully and if you find areas in which you are suspicious of personal wounding, have someone else minister deliverance to you. That is done by laying-on-hands of another believer, anointing with oil, and in the authority of Jesus commanding the trespassing spirit to go. The conditions are:

1. Lingering effects of childhood criticism, rejection, and abuse, that continue into adult life.

2. Condemnation for personality failures.

3. Ancestral curses; that is, negative family patterns which need to be broken and stopped. This includes predispositions to anger, depression, addictions, and other self-destroying influences.

4. Deception, procrastination, frustration, feelings of inadequacy and inability which are self-inflicted and not necessarily ancestral.

5. Physical and emotional illnesses.

6. Business failure and inadequate productivity.

7. Failure to prosper in wisdom, domestic happiness, and spiritual growth.

8. Fear in all its forms; particularly, problems of occult origin.

9. False and abusive concepts of manhood or womanhood and/or other wrong ideas that interfere with your fulfilling your scriptural role in the home.

10. Other obstructions which prevent you from receiving the fullness of the Holy Spirit's gifting and power.

Criticism is not a harmless family trait. It is a disease that injures everyone in whom it resides. The end result of criticism is much more than wasted lives and destroyed opportunities. Its final effect can be emotional and physical illness. You don't want it! My suggestion is this: If criticism is a problem in your life, don’t wait to get rid of it. Its' target is your home, your health, your happiness, your church. You do not want it. Criticism is a destroyer. Follow the simple steps I outlined above and drive the dirty influence out of your life and out of the Kingdom.

SIGNS OF THE TIMES

The Good: Frank Page, President of the Southern Baptist Convention has called the denomination to prayer for Revival saying, “We have become an arrogant people, and we must understand our undeservedness, and that without Him we an do nothing ... ‘Holy Spirit, bring us to a point of absolute repentance and confession and revival’ ... I am calling our Convention to ask, ‘Lord, send your reviving Holy Spirit upon this convention’ ... God bless us ... with a Holy Ghost Revival.’” Page continued by quoting Dr. Roy Fish, “‘For 30 years we have tried to raise baptism numbers among an un-revived people in un-revived churches ... God, through Your Holy Spirit, bring about the power through which that will be accomplished among revived people in revived churches.’”

The Bad: Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, believes he was chosen by Allah to bring about the downfall of America, Israel, and Christian, civilization, to usher in the End of Days, When Ahmadinejad spoke at the U.N., he concluded his speech by calling upon the arrival of the Islamic Messiah, known as the "Hidden Imam," or the "Twelfth Imam," or the "Mahdi." He prayed: "O mighty Lord, I pray to you to hasten the emergence of your last repository, the Promised One, that perfect and pure human being, the One that will fill this world with justice and peace." Who is this “Hidden Imam”? Christians know him as the anti-Christ.

More Bad: According to Christianity Today, the Presbyterian Church USA is publishing a book by David Ray Griffin, professor emeritus of theology at Claremont School of Theology, claiming it wasn’t Osama bin Laden who orchestrated the 9/11 attack on the Twin Towers in New York but it was President George W. Bush. Quote: “The Bush administration planned the events of September 11, 2001, so it could provide justification for going to war with Afghanistan and Iraq.” When Islam becomes more fanatical in its attack on America, your church, your family, and your town, you can thank the Presbyterian Church USA for encouraging it.