Oasis Church
Relational Vampires - Loving Critical People
We are all called to Love People... love our neighbor as ourselves...
even the difficult people!
HOW DO YOU RESPOND TO CRITICAL PEOPLE?
1. OFTEN YOU DON’T RESPOND.
1 Peter 2:23 When they hurled their insults at Him [Jesus], He did not retaliate; when He suffered, He made no threats. Instead, He entrusted Himself to Him who judges justly.
Proverbs 19:11 A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.
Your role is to obey God not to answer critics.
2. SOMETIMES, YOU RESPOND CAREFULLY.
Judges 8:1-2a Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, “Why have you treated us like this? Why didn’t you call us when you went to fight Midian?” And they challenged him vigorously. 2 But he answered them…
Judges 8:3 When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon’s answer, their anger subsided.
When emotions are high, wisdom is low.
3. OCCASIONALLY, YOU LISTEN AND MAKE A CHANGE.
Sometimes your critics are right! - learn from them!
Proverbs 15:31-32 If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. 32 If you reject discipline, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding.
4. ALWAYS WORK TO GUARD YOUR HEART.
Proverbs 12:18 Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing.
My critical spirit is always born out of:
Pride—Ignorance—Hurt
Romans 14:10-13 So why do you condemn another believer? Why do you look down on another believer? Remember, we will all stand before the judgment seat of God.
11 For the Scriptures say, “‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bend to me, and every tongue will declare allegiance to God.’”
12 Yes, each of us will give a personal account to God.
13 So let’s stop condemning each other. Decide instead to live in such a way that you will not cause another believer to stumble and fall.
Questions To Consider To Apply This Teaching To Your Life....
What did God say to you during this teaching?
What will you DO because of what the He said?
