Holiness, Godliness, Usefulness
04/02/2014, by John Kincaid
Lesson 194: A Critical Spirit
A critical spirit is rooted in pride; it is one of the most difficult sins to eliminate. It is quick to point out the sins of others, but unable to see its own.
Luke 18:11 The Pharisee, standing by himself, prayed like this: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other men, extortioners, unjust, adulterers, or even like this tax collector.
Prov.6:16-19 There are 6 things that the Lord hates, 7 that are an abomination to him: haughty eyes (pride), a lying tongue, and hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked plans, feet that make haste to run to evil, a false witness who breathes out lies, and one who sows discord among brothers.
These sins: envy, bitterness, retaliation, critical spirit – are just as evil as immorality. We need to pray daily that God would reveal these sins in us, and replace them with good.
About This Series
The goal of this series is to become more useful in serving the Lord Jesus Christ, as an instrument in the Redeemer's hand. The theme verses for the series are Ephesians 4:22-24, Philemon 11, 2 Timothy 2:21
- to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds,
- and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
- Formerly he was useless to you, but now he is indeed useful to you and to me.
- Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.