Sipping my tea on a gloomy, gray, misty day...Lately my mind has been on both sides...and somewhere in the middle. People on what we call the left and right side...and then there are those caught in the middle. All three positions believe they are correct in what they have to share.
People voice verbally...People write their views in magazines, newspapers, social media...People are full of opinions...all of us are varied; even those "on the same side". This makes for a very negative and critical assembly of people. Our thinking begins to focus on two things...one; that WE are the one who is correct (pride), two; the others are just annoyingly wrong (critical).
All of this world view "stuff" begins to skew our minds. It becomes natural to view people critically and think nothing of it. Perhaps some were of a more critical nature anyhow. Some may have slipped into being critical so subtly and slowly that they didn't even notice.
People begin to annoy you. People who are maybe more peripheral in your life. Someone will say something that you deem questionable and you cringe inside. Or you will be scanning through your social media and there will be a post that your eyeballs happen to read and you will wince. "Why does he/she post that meme or make that rant?" You will ask yourself. This is where that critical spirit enters along with pride.
Pride; you think you are above the individual and that critical spirit has "no clue" how they could say such a thing and not realize the sphere of influence they may have over their group of friends who read them. That enemy is a sneak isn't he? He creeps into your mind with little whispers..."you are so much better. You don't post things that make people wince or cringe like that." "Yes! You declare, I am better." You continue reading to see what comments are made or how many "likes" are given. "Don't those people get it? This is not something that should be stated." "That's right," chimes in the enemy. "you would never post such a thing or say that." You're feeling pretty proud of yourself and you are wishing that others would be so "righteous".
You are with a group of people. Someone begins to share a story they think is funny. Your ears begin to burn as you listen. "How can they think that is funny? It's pretty 'iffy' to share with these people." "Yes, you would never share such a thing," whispers the enemy. "No, I wouldn't," you respond. Each time the enemy chimes in, when people speak or write/post you thought it was our Father. The enemy can be tricky. He can come at you in any way you will accept.
You "hear" a still small voice as you are having your prayer time with Father. "Do you really think I condone your thoughts and attitude toward that person?" "But Lord, look at what they do and what they say? It's really not appropriate," you defend. "Who are you say that?" Father responds. You sit in silence for a while. Your thoughts whirling. What some say or do is just so....so questionable! Father sits with you waiting quietly...allowing you to think. Prayer! "Okay, Father, I hear you! You want me to pray for them." You realize that you have had a critical spirit mixed with some pride.
You have a revelation! Whenever you hear or see something questionable, you will pray for the person stating it. Or if the person merely comes to mind, they are there for a reason. You will pray! It is so very true that prayer changes things. We have all been told that when you pray for someone to change...you change...your attitude changes!
Pray away a critical spirit. That spirit can hide and be sneaky. Pray away pride. Pride can also be sneaky.
I encourage you to "pick apart" this passage from Ephesians 3 and pray it for that person(s) you have issues with. Or of course pray as God leads...this is an example:
14 For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, 15 from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named, 16 that according to the riches of his glory he may grant you (the person) to be strengthened with power through his Spirit in your (the person) inner being, 17 so that Christ may dwell in your(the person's) hearts through faith—that you(the person), being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may have strength to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, 19 and to know the love of Christ that surpasses knowledge, that you (the person) may be filled with all the fullness of God.
I leave you with this encouragement...from Ephesians 3:
20 Now to him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, 21 to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, forever and ever. Amen.
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