THOSE WHO CRITICIZE THOSE WHO CRITICIZE

Before you pick up on it let me just tell you: I am criticizing those who criticize those who criticize. Huh? Recently, I read a Facebook post. It was criticizing a recognized figure of the American Christian scene-and not on an issue of morality or doctrine. My first inner response was, "What was the purpose of that?" Then, I read the comments on the post. One of them was a reactionary rant about Christians being critical of other Christians-referring, of course, to the author of the post. My inner response was "What was the purpose of that?" Didn't the one commenting on the post's writer's criticism realize he was criticizing the post's writer? There are Those Who Criticize: A true critique is offered by one with expertise and accomplishment. It should be offered for a purpose. When young, I participated in piano recitals and contests. The judges would fill out these long forms evaluating me on many different aspects. Not all were positive. I never felt the judges were being critical of me as a person. That is what they were to do, and it was for my benefit or instruction. Usually, a criticism that is Biblically condemned judging is an attack on the person himself. Most of the time, one is not criticizing because he is evaluating for his or others' sake. He is criticizing because to do so makes the one criticizing feel he is superior to the one he criticizes. Truth is, it is really difficult to cut someone down without feeling you tower over them. Then, there are Those Who Criticize Those Who Criticize: People who are quick to criticize those who criticize, are swift to do so because they self-righteously consider themselves morally superior for not criticizing. Yet, that is what they do. They criticize the person who is criticizing. These are they who are always going around saying, "The Bible says you're not supposed to judge people," all the while judging folks who judge. Lastly, there are Those Who Criticize Those Who Criticize Those Who Criticize: With this article I would like to believe I am criticizing those who criticized those who criticized simply because I see the irony in what they do. It could be, however, simply because I feel the same superiority they felt when they criticize those who criticized. But, I can honestly say, I felt repulsion at the self-righteous attitude in the comment on the post. Yet, when the Spirit brings me to honest reflection, I feel the same repulsion at the self-righteous attitude in myself when I find it so easy to criticize people. I am sure God finds it repulsive as well. As He says through His Word, "Who are thou that judgest another." (James 4:12). We can and must and are instructed to evaluate behavior, beliefs, and even attitudes. But, we do not need to do so simply for the purpose of inflating our own sense of superiority by attacking a person. So, as you read, honestly criticize my criticism, but don't criticize me for criticizing-of being critical of the critical. If you criticize me for criticizing those who criticize those who criticize, you have just entered a new category-those who criticize those who criticize those who criticize those who criticize.