Condemnable Criticisms
Thursday, January 18, 2024Key Verse
“And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married…And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it” (Numbers 12:1,2)
Text — Numbers 12:1-8
Message
There is a notable difference between helping somebody to be fulfilled and making somebody to fail or fall down. While good counsel achieves the first purpose, the aim of negative criticism is to condemn and pull down. Criticism is the act of judging unfavourably or an act of faultfinding. It has to do with attacking somebody’s character and personality.
Miriam’s intention was not to counsel her younger brother, Moses, but to judge and challenge his authority and leadership. Most criticisms are done out of jealousy. The Bible forbids believers from speaking evil of their leaders, whether spiritual or secular leaders. Christian youths should not copy the ungodly among whom they dwell to criticize and find faults with their leaders. A learner that criticizes his instructor will not benefit much from him. So the youths that listen to gospel messages with the aim of finding faults will not be blessed of the Lord. For Miriam’s criticism of God’s servant, she was afflicted with leprosy. She was banished from the camp of Israel temporarily before God delivered her through Moses’ intercessory prayer. Are you a faultfinder like Miriam?
Quote
Most criticisms are done out of jealousy.
Challenge
Criticism closes a learner’s mind to knowledge.
Prayer for today
Sanctify my tongue, Oh God, in Jesus’ name.
About Author - Pastor W.F. Kumuyi
Listed among “500 most powerful people on the planet” by the Foreign Policy magazine in 2013, Pastor (Dr.) William F. Kumuyi is the founder and General Superintendent of the Deeper Christian Life Ministry (DCLM) headquartered in Lagos, Nigeria. DCLM started in 1973 as a 15-member Bible study group right in Kumuyi’s apartment at University of Lagos where he was a lecturer. His revolutionary Bible teaching on personal holiness and commitment to evangelism soon gained so much traction and resulted in a widespread revival.
