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Scripture Reading:  Colossians 4:2-6

Sinful or Constructive Criticism:  Knowing the Difference

Intro.
 1.  Bible condemns speech that tears down & commends speech that builds up, Eph. 4:29.

2.  Jesus faced & exposed faultfinding, critical spirit, Lk. 11:37-42; 53-54.

3.  How can we avoid being sinfully critical while still properly reproving & rebuking sin when necessary?  (2 Tim. 4:2)  The first destroys relations & souls; the latter edifies & saves.

 

I. HOW CAN WE KNOW THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SINFUL CRITICISM & CONSTRUCTIVE COUNSEL?

  A.  Begin by Examining & Cleansing our Heart, Lk. 11:39-40; 2 Cor. 13:5.

    1.  Pure motives, purposes & objectives, Matt. 5:8; Titus 1:15.

    2.  Purify our hearts by obeying truth, Jas. 4:8; 1 Pet. 1:22.

    3.  Love one another fervently from the heart, 1 Pet. 1:22.

  B.  A Knowledgeable & Discerning Love Forms the Basis of Constructive Communication, Phil. 1:8-11.

    1.  Knowledge without love puffs up, & love w/o knowledge is incomplete, 1 Cor. 8:1-2.

    2.  Fault-finding, critical spirit is absent where love is present, 1 Cor. 13:4-7.

      a.  “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.”

      b.  Grace & kindness must be reflected in our remarks, Col. 4:6.

 

II. MARKS OF SINFUL CRITICISM (Knowing the difference between sinful criticism & constructive counsel). cf. Lk. 11:53-54 with Col. 4:5-6.  (Motives)

 

Sinful Criticism (Faultfinding)

Constructive Counsel (Impart Grace)

1. Hatred, Gen. 37:4 (Prv. 26:24-26)

1. Love, Rom. 13:10

2. Vengeful, Prov. 24:29

2. Peaceful & merciful, Matt. 7:12; Rom. 12:17

3. Entrapment, Lk. 11:53-54, 20:20

3. Examination, Ac 17:11 (1 Jn. 4:1)

4. Prejudice, Jas. 2:1-4 (Jno. 1:46)

4. Impartial, Jas. 3:17 (fair & kind, Eph. 4:31-32)

5. Binds traditions, Mk. 7:2-5  (blinded minds, Matt. 15:12-14)

5. Binds truth, Mk. 7:6-9 (1 Cor. 14:3); 2 Ths. 2:15 (light of truth)

6. Self-righteous, Lk. 18:9-12 (Prov. 30:12-13; Job 12:1-3)

6. Self-reproach, Lk. 18:13 (Gal. 6:1)

7. Hypocritical, Mt. 7:3-4 (23:23-24)

7. Humble, Jas. 4:6, 10

8. Judges by appearance, Jno. 7:24

8. Judges righteously, Jno. 5:30

9. Response of human wisdom & faithlessness, Jno. 6:41-42, 60-61

9. Response of faith in divine truth, Jno. 6:63, 68

10. Obsessed w/ disputes…envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 1 Tim. 6:4  (Given to disputes, confusing controversy with contending for the faith)

10. Gentle & forbearing, 2 Tim. 2:23-25 (Contends for the faith with the objective of trying to save souls, Jude 3, 22-23)

11. Rejoices in sin, 1 Cor. 13:6

11. Rejoices in the truth, 1 Cor. 13:6 (Eph. 4:15)

 

III. CONTINUING CONSTRUCTIVE COUNSEL, Rom. 12:9-18.

      (“that you may know how you ought to answer each one,” Col. 4:6)

  A.  Sincere (genuine) Love, 12:9-11.

  B.  Constant Caring, 12:12-14.

  C.  Sympathetic, 12:15-16.

  D.  Peaceful Patience, 12:17-21.

 

Conclusion

1.  Rom. 14:13, 19:  Cease faultfinding (like the critical condemnation of liberties) & pursue things that produce peace & edification.

2.  “But we do all things, beloved, for your edification.”  2 Cor. 12:19