“Criticism is born out of our own insecurities.”
Thoughts from daily Bible reading for today – October 26, 2024
It is foolish to belittle one’s neighbor; a sensible person keeps quiet. Proverbs 11:12, NLT
Has any good ever come from talking about someone else? Of course, I don’t mean honest care and concern for the needs of a neighbor or friend, inviting others to come together to be a blessing in a time of distress. No, you know what I mean. The offhand comments, the critical observations, the unnecessary comparisons. Here in the American South, we sum this entire disposition up with three mighty words: “Bless their heart.”
Criticism is born out of our own insecurities. This is especially true when someone we are in community with experiences success in life. In fact, this is one of the simplest ways to test the state of your own heart. When your neighbor gets a large Christmas bonus or a new job that doubles their pay, how do you respond? What if you’ve longed to get pregnant for years without any success, and someone you know announces that they are expecting after just one month of trying? Perhaps you fail to secure a spot in the charter school lottery for your children, yet neighbors on both sides of your home come knocking on your door to share the good news of their children’s enrollment.
In these situations, and countless others like them, can you celebrate the good news of others without envy or jealousy swirling about in your heart? Or, in order to level the playing field and mask your own disappointment and anger, do you feel the need to elevate a perceived flaw or shortcoming that you see in them? “Sure, he makes a ton of money, but he’s never around for his kids.” “They only got that because they’re related to a board member.” “I’m happy for her, I’m just not sure it’s going to be what she thinks it’ll be.”
Begin to listen attentively to the words that come out of your mouth, and see if any of them sound similar to what I’ve described above. So often, we speak words into the world that neither bless nor build up. When tempted in this direction, choose instead to embrace and cling to the ancient wisdom of Proverbs 11: “A sensible person keeps quiet.”
Prayer
Father, help us come to our senses and keep quiet, focusing on our own need for your mercy to heal and transform our lives, through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Application
Hold the words of this proverb close to your heart and mind this week, learning to listen attentively to what comes out of your mouth.
Related Reading
Proverbs 18:2; Ephesians 4:29; James 1:19
Worship Resource
Brooke Ligertwood: Calvary’s Enough
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