Criticism.

Is it a good thing?

Criticism, as defined in the dictionary, is the art of analyzing and evaluating the quality of one’s “work”.  It is the act of passing judgment as to the merits of the “work”.

Is it ever useful or fitting to judge something in an unflattering way?  Is it ever useful or fitting to artfully analyze or evaluate a performance, a writing, or any piece of “work”?

What does the Bible say about criticism?

First of all, Matthew 7:1 says:

Judge not, that ye be not judged.

If I point out the faults in my brother, then my brother may find the same faults in me and I must be wary of that.  There is a fine line between the act of “judging” and the art of “criticizing”.

Judging someone only points fingers without offering solutions.  Constructive criticism “polishes” that lump of coal and, eventually, if worked hard enough, shines it to the luster of a diamond.  If I am constructively criticized, in truth and helpfulness, I become a better person.

Proverbs 27:6 says:

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

This means we can learn more from a friend who, in earnest, tells us the harsh truth than we can learn from an enemy who tells us what we want to hear.  The friend’s chastising can be helpful while the enemy’s encouragement is hurtful.

Ephesians 4:15 says:

But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ.

Perhaps the New International Version of the Bible makes this verse easier to understand.

In the NIV Ephesians 4:15 translates:

Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

Ephesians 4:14 tells us WHY we should speak truthfully and within a foundation of love:

That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive.

So, we learn, there is a difference between “judgement” and “criticism”.  But beyond that, there is also a division in “criticism”.  When defining our criticism we must ask ourselves, do we analyze and evaluate the faults we see in someone’s work because we want to destroy that work or because we want to make that work stronger? Are we judging them or are we trying to help them?  Good criticism, based on truth and coming from the heart, is humble and hopes only for a measure of success to be gained from it’s constructive guidance.

Many times criticism is taken as being snooty, snobbish, egotistical, and even cold-hearted but this is sometimes just an excuse for ignoring it’s value.  It is seen by those who refuse to accept it and to learn from it as being judgmental and, therefore, it is easily discarded.

Proverbs 18:13 says:

He that answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame unto him.

The Bible says that healthy criticism MUST BE based on truth.  Negligent criticism is only gossip and usually ends up embarrassing the critic.

There is a VERY BIG difference between criticizing someone to help them versus having a “critical spirit” that is NEVER satisfied.

Galatians 5:22 says:

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, and faith.

Criticism should always be grounded in the truth.  Criticism should always provide a door for the object of it’s critique to pass through to become better.

Praise the Lord.

The Bible, the word of God, is our handbook to salvation.  It is the peace that passes all understanding.  Thank you for sharing it with PNN today.

RLB4

Sanctified Holy.

Are you “sanctified holy”?  What does it mean to be, “sanctified holy”?

Brother R.B. Dowd, may he rest in peace, was a former Pastor of the Long Creek Church of the Nazarene at Long Creek, TN.  He introduced me to the phrase “sanctified holy” back in 1998.  Since then, I have sought to learn just what it means to be “sanctified holy”.

Could I be “sanctified holy”?  Could you, Dear Reader, be “sanctified holy”?  Could anyone be?

Taken in the religious content, “sanctify” means:  To set aside for sacred use, to purify.

“Holy” means:  Belonging to, derived from, or associated with a divine power; sacred.

So, if “you” are sanctified holy it means that “you”, defining “you” as the body, the flesh, the mind, the spirit and your soul, have set “yourself” aside for sacred use ONLY by, and through, the divine power of God.  That is, every part of “you” is set aside for God.

Taken in a generic content, “sanctification” means: “the state of proper functioning.” So, to sanctify something or someone means that we set that thing or that person apart for ONLY the use that was intended by its creator. It would mean that a pen is “sanctified” when it is only used to write.  If you use a pen as a pointer it is no longer sanctified.  Eyeglasses are “sanctified” only when worn to improve your vision.  Your eyeglasses are not sanctified if they rest on your head as they are not being used for their intended purpose.  In the religious sense, people are sanctified when they are used for the purpose according to God’s design.

If you are sanctified holy then you walk in the Spirit of the Lord every waking moment of your life.

Galatians 5:16 says,

This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

So you can, Dear Reader, be “sanctified holy” but it is not as easy as it looks.  There was only one perfect being and that was our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.

The only person that I have ever known to be even close to being sanctified holy was Brother R.B. Dowd.  He lived every second of his life walking in the Spirit and sharing the gospel.  God’s light was forever showing through him.  He showed me that it could be done, if you worked at it unceasingly.

Romans 12:1 says,

I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship.

Praise the Lord.

The Bible, the word of God, is our handbook to salvation.  It is the peace that passes all understanding.  Thank you for sharing it with PNN today.

RLB4

Editor’s Note: In the interest of full disclosure; I am not sanctified holy. I try to be and I work to be better almost all of the time as I try to help people and treat people fairly but there are times when I can’t hold my tongue or my pen.  I am constantly asking God to help me with my struggle of brutally calling things as I see them rather than just rolling over and taking it like I did when I was younger.  Back then, I sat blindly by and trusted man’s “authority”.  I have learned that man’s authority is not always right.  God tells me that it is sometimes better to point out a mistake rather than let it turn into something worse.  I used to hold my tongue but now, in my older age, I have learned that if you don’t take up for yourself you will get run over and silence only empowers, even more, those that don’t give a darn about anybody but themselves.

As I have mentioned here before, I don’t hold a monopoly on the truth, just my understanding of it.  I always ask for people to correct me if they believe I have spoken incorrectly.  I am always open to hearing the other side of the argument.  I am grateful that PNN is beginning to get comments after each story. I encourage everyone to go back and read them and join in the discussion.

RLB4

“God wants spiritual fruit, not religious nuts.”

Matthew 13:51, 52 says,

51 Jesus said to them, “Have you understood all these things?“ They answered, “Yes, Lord.”

52 He said to them, “Therefore every teacher of the law who has become a disciple in the kingdom of heaven is like the owner of a house who brings out of his storeroom new treasures as well as old.”

Some parables are old and hard to understand but we must try to understand them and apply them to our lives today.  Likewise, God says we must uncover new treasures and share new parables, as well.

Jesus made sure to ask his disciples, do you understand?

Why did Jesus make sure to ask if they understood?  Because sometimes we might not immediately understand everything in front of us.  Sometimes we come off as being nutty.  If we don’t understand something we have to think about it, we have to talk about it, we have to study it more.  Then, when we come to better understand the glory of our God, when the picture becomes clear, we will truly yield the spiritual fruits that He wants us to share with others.

Praise the Lord.

The Bible, the word of God, is our handbook to salvation.  It is the peace that passes all understanding.  Thank you for sharing it with PNN today.

RLB4

In the blink of God’s eye our lives begin, they play out, and then they are over.

How did you live your life?  What legacy, what history, do you leave behind?

Find inspiration in the video below.

God isn’t found just in a building. God is found first, and foremost, in your heart.

God bless you all.

RLB4