In a world where criticism and derogatory remarks are commonplace, we must guard against the pervasive critical mood that surrounds us. Solomon wisely counsels in Ecclesiastes 7:20-22 not to take to heart everything people say, for we might hear even our own servants cursing us, just as we have, at times, spoken ill of others. The Hebrew word qalal, translated as cursing, implies a range of criticism, from mild to harsh, often cutting despite its seeming insignificance. Ignoring such words prevents pride when praised and anger or depression when disparaged, both of which can lead to sin. When criticism stings, our instinct may be to retaliate, but wisdom urges us to bring the matter before God in prayer, seeking any truth in the words spoken and repenting if necessary. Proverbs 29:12-13 reminds us to avoid bias and not to jump to conclusions, giving others the benefit of the doubt to prevent seeing everyone as a conspirator against us. Controlling the tongue is a constant challenge, as James 3:2-3 notes, for even a perfect man must bridle his words to control his whole body. Criticism is inevitable, no matter how we strive to avoid it. The Parable of the Pharisee and the Tax Collector in Luke 18:9-14 illustrates that justice comes to those who humble themselves rather than condemn others, revealing the self-righteous nature often behind negative comments. David, in II Samuel 16:5-13, exemplifies patience when cursed by Shimei, choosing not to retaliate but to leave the matter to God, trusting that the Lord might repay with good for the affliction endured. Jesus further guides us in Matthew 6:14-15 to forgive those who wrong us, for if we desire God's forgiveness for our own harsh words, we must first extend forgiveness to others. Thus, let us heed Solomon's advice to overlook offenses, remembering our own faults, and commit our responses to God with compassion and humility.

As we approach the spring holy days, we must be vigilant against the sin of pride, which can manifest through fault finding and a misguided self-confidence. The parable of the Pharisee and the Publican in Luke 18:9-14 illustrates this danger, showing how the Pharisee trusted in his own righteousness and despised others, counting them as nothing. This religious egotism caused him to magnify himself by comparing himself to those he deemed inferior, leading to separation from his fellow man and ultimately from God, as he was not justified. We must take warning from this example. If we begin to feel contaminated in the presence of a brother, withdraw from him, or constantly find fault and take offense at almost everything he does, we may be in great trouble. Such attitudes are strong evidence of pride producing its evil fruit, driving division among us. Pride's power lies in deceit, plowing the ground of faulty evaluation to produce evil, often by choosing to measure ourselves against those we consider inferior to preserve our sense of worth. The Pharisee's pride deluded him into thinking he possessed a righteousness he did not have, filling his prayer with self-congratulation and comparison to others, while offering no humble expression of obligation or thanksgiving to God. In contrast, the humble Publican recognized his unworthiness, evaluating himself in relation to God, not other men, and sought mercy with self-condemnation. We must guard against allowing our privileged responsibility within the Family of God to swell into the misguided self-confidence of pride, ensuring we do not adopt the Pharisee's attitude of superiority over others, whether within or outside the Body of Christ.

Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount not to judge, warning against a faultfinding spirit that leads to criticism, a pervasive habit in society. This negative attitude causes us to pick at others for their shortcomings, often becoming so habitual that we scarcely notice it. We criticize to remake our mates, shape our children, and even within the church, finding fault with leaders and others who fail to meet our expectations. Why do we engage in such criticism? It may stem from feelings of inferiority that manifest as pride, making us feel superior by highlighting others' failures. Envy or jealousy also fuels this habit, as we resent others receiving more attention or holding positions we desire. Criticism is sinful, the opposite of love, arising from impure motives and emphasizing our own righteousness at others' expense. It is unkind, often driven by impatience, envy, and arrogance, and distorts our perspective, much like satan's initial criticism of God to Eve in the Garden of Eden led to sin and distortion. Moreover, criticism is foolish because it sows division, as seen when Miriam's criticism of Moses in Numbers 12 not only led her and Aaron to sin but also delayed the entire camp's journey to the Promised Land. Such faultfinding within the church can stunt growth toward the Kingdom of God, creating division and offense, potentially causing a vulnerable brother to fall away. Instead of criticizing others, we should focus on honest self-criticism, recognizing our own faults and praying for God to search our hearts and lead us in the everlasting way, as David does in Psalm 139:23-24.

Jesus Christ warns us against a fault-finding spirit, a negative attitude that leads us to criticize and point out the flaws in others. In Matthew 7:1-2, He instructs, "Judge not, that you will not be judged. For with what judgment you judge, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured back to you." This condemnation of others often stems from impure motives, seeking to elevate ourselves by diminishing someone else's reputation, which is the opposite of love. Criticism and fault-finding are pervasive in our society and can easily infiltrate the church, becoming a common sin among the brethren. We may not even realize we are accusing or judging others harshly, as it seeps into our conversations and attitudes over time. Such behavior can arise from feelings of inferiority, pride, envy, or jealousy, making us feel superior or more righteous by highlighting others' shortcomings. This practice is not only foolish but sinful, as it distorts our perspective, much like satan's accusations distorted Eve's and Adam's view of God, leading to sin. In Numbers 12, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses, allowing envy to fuel their fault-finding, which distorted their perspective and incurred God's anger. Their actions delayed the journey of the entire camp, illustrating how criticism within the church can hinder our collective progress toward the Kingdom of God. Moreover, fault-finding is hypocritical, as Jesus Christ illustrates in Matthew 7:3-5, asking why we focus on the speck in our brother's eye while ignoring the plank in our own. He calls out this double standard, urging us to first examine and correct our own faults before attempting to address those of others. Paul echoes this in Romans 2:1-6, warning that judging others while committing the same sins condemns us and stores up wrath for the day of God's righteous judgment. Instead of criticizing, we are called to love, which seeks to cover unrighteousness rather than expose it, as Peter writes in 1 Peter 4:8, "Above all things have fervent love for one another, for love will cover a multitude of sins." Jesus Christ provides a positive principle in Matthew 7:12, teaching us to treat others as we would wish to be treated, overcoming evil with good. Rather than standing over others as their judge, we must engage in honest self-examination and prayer, asking God to search our hearts and lead us in the everlasting way, as David prayed in Psalm 139:23-24.

Human nature possesses a blind spot to its own faults and shortcomings, distorting self-perception much like deceptive mirrors. This distortion becomes the great deceiver when applied to ourselves, yet it appears so clear when observing the faults of others. Jesus' admonition in Matthew 7:1-5 highlights the egregious evil of tolerating sin in oneself, emphasizing that the anger He expresses is far more intense against concealing sin within than against judging others. The sins of others should indeed provoke anger, but the behaviors that intensely annoy or frustrate us in them should serve as warning indicators of what God finds offensive in us. When spiritual faults are seen in others, they should be converted into mirrors for examining our own spiritual progress, seeking similar grievances that affect God's Holy Spirit. God often uses the negative behaviors of those around us to reflect the hideousness of our own sins. Like many faults observed in others, they frequently mirror our own shortcomings and failings. The challenge lies in failing to heed the warning etched on this mirror of self-reflection: objects in mirror are closer than they appear.