Wowzah! My thoughts this week (on occasion) have been spiraling into criticism and judging. Ouch! The conviction of the Holy Spirit is pressing against my fleshy, dark thoughts.
The Message version of this passage hits hard:
“Don’t pick on people, jump on their failures, criticize their faults—unless, of course, you want the same treatment. That critical spirit has a way of boomeranging. It’s easy to see a smudge on your neighbor’s face and be oblivious to the ugly sneer on your own.”
Matthew 7:1-3
I was also struck reading a quote from the new Pope Leo XIV. He said, “Let us disarm communication of all prejudice and resentment, fanaticism and even hatred; let us free it from aggression.”
Without getting into the weeds of my struggles, I know that giving in to being critical and judgmental thoughts adds to my anxiety and emotional stress.
The Holy Spirit is revealing prejudices I have in my heart and unrealistic expectations I have of others. I know that I wouldn’t want “the same treatment, knowing that my critical spirit has a way of boomeranging.” When I read the Pope’s quote, I felt in my spirit that my internal voice was communicating negative prejudices in my thought life. So how do you disarm your negative voices within your heart and mind?
Today, I choose to disarm my negative voices of prejudice, unrealistic expectations and judgments…
… by first asking for forgiveness from God for my internal behavior,
… then by praying for and blessing the individuals I struggle with on varied levels,
… and thanking God for His great love, grace and power to walk and live in victory.
When those dark thoughts resurface, try to immediately give them to the Lord, asking Him for grace to overcome, and repeat the above.
Let me conclude with this passage from Romans 12:9, “Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good.” (The Message)
