How Christians Change the Hearts of Critics

How Christians Change the Hearts of Critics

Man trusts in his own logic, although it's obviously flawed. As an example, consider the following analogy: A philosophy student was listening with intent interest about a discussion on God's existence. The professor asked, “Has anyone here heard God speak?” Silence. “Has anyone here ever touched God?” More silence. “Has anyone here ever seen God?” When again no one spoke, he concluded, “Then there must be no God.”

The student was lost in thought for a second, then stood up and asked the class “Has anyone here ever heard our professor's brain speak?” Silence. “Has anyone here ever touched his brain?” You could hear a pin drop. “Has anyone ever seen his brain?” When no one answered, the student quipped, “Then, according to our professor's logic…he has no brain!"

Every Christian has probably encountered those skeptical of their religion. Here's a few questions you can ask them:

1. How could Jesus be called only a “Good Man” if He was lying about being God?

2. If the Bible isn't true, why is it universally called the “Good Book?”

3. Explain how order could come from chaos.

4. If Jesus' resurrection was faked, why were the twelve disciples prepared to die for Him?

5. Why have so many of history's greatest minds been Christians?

6. How could the Bible, make so many detailed prophecies that were fulfilled?

7. Is it possible your disbelief in God is actually an unwillingness to submit to Him?

8. Did you know every so-called Bible contradiction has been answered in an intelligently, credible manner?

9. How has the Bible survived in spite of centuries spent trying to destroy and ban its message?

10. Have you ever considered Christianity is the only religion whose leader is said to have risen from the dead? How can you explain His empty tomb? Or that there were over 500 witnesses who saw Jesus following His crucifixion?

Anyone with a critical spirit is an expert in finding fault. A critical spirit doesn't reflect the heart of the wise, nor the heart of God. Jesus said in Matthew 12:34-35, "Out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him."

What Is a Critical Spirit?

• An excessively negative attitude with harshness in judging.

• A person with a critical spirit gives unfair criticism by faultfinding, nit picking, carping, quibbling, and complaining.

• The Bible is unequivocally clear about those who are judgmental.

"You, then, why do you judge your brother? Or why do you look down on your brother? For we will all stand before God's judgment seat" (Romans 14:10).

What Is a Caring Spirit?

• A caring spirit is thoughtful, attentive, and caring.

• Those who have a caring spirit reflect the heart of our caring savior. "The Lord is good, a refuge in times of trouble. He cares for those who trust in him" (Nahum 1:7).

Where Does a Critical Spirit Originate?

A critical spirit, is commonly fostered early on in a home environment where criticism abounds, and parents indoctrinate their children through words and actions. Unfortunately, this spirit follows them into adulthood.

To keep from being attacked, those who are unjustly criticized often stay on the attack. Harsh words can quickly cut to the heart of both children and adults. It can become a form of self-defense or revenge. In Matthew 5:38-39, Jesus says,

"you Have heard that it was said, 'eye for an eye, and tooth for a tooth' But I tell you, do not resist an evil person. If someone strikes you on the right cheek, turn to him the other also."

Root Causes

As humans, we find it convenient to shift blame to God or someone else rather than taking responsibility for our own wrong choices. We all have three inner needs: love, significance, and security. Criticizing someone else makes us feel a sense of significance, a sense of power, at least for the moment.

However, it says in Romans 2:1,

"You, therefore, have no excuse, you pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things."

Changing From Critical to Caring

Perhaps you have been convicted of caustic criticism, but now desire to change. However, to do this, one must:

• Humble your heart to see your own sin, imperfections, and immense need for God's mercy.

• Help others see their significance in gods eyes.

• Pray.

• Look closely at Christ to learn compassionate ways of confronting the truth.

• Don't listen only to what people say. Listen for the needs and feelings beneath the surface, feelings of being unloved, insignificant or insecure.

• Pray you will not be a critical stone thrower, but he compassionately need meeter.

• Realize everyone has a natural fear of rejection and deep yearning for acceptance.

• Choose to be a channel through which God extends His acceptance to others.

• Treat every person, especially those most problematic to you, as someone with God-given worth.

• Pray the Lord will not allow you to despise anyone He created and loves.

• Avoid temptations to try to catch others doing something wrong. Instead, comment on what they are doing right.

• Praying he will see something positive in every person.

• Pray you will see others as God does.

• It's been said, "talk is cheap." But contrarily, talk isn't when it tears others down.

• Realize after something has been spoken, it can't be taken back.

• Inspire those who need to change by sharing your belief they can.

• Instead of judging inappropriate actions of others, seek to understand the need behind each one.

• Realize people speaking inappropriately are usually revealing they have unmet inner needs.

• Understand, people don't always mean what they say.

• Seek God's wisdom by reading a chapter a day from the book of Proverbs.

• Note every verse from Proverbs pertaining to the tongue.

• Pray God's spirit will teach you spiritual truths and lead you to speak them.

"This is what we speak, not in words taught us by human wisdom, but in words taught by the spirit, expressing spiritual truths and spiritual words." (1 Corinthians 2:13).

If we think about it, everything in this lesson could be covered by one verse,

"Do to others as you would have them do to you." (Matthew 7:12).