Conquering a Critical Spirit: Put Off Tearing Down and Put on Building Up a 7 - Day Plan by Shannon McCoySample

Cultivating Humility

As I sat in the church women’s ministry meeting, I found myself silently criticizing every suggestion made by others. “That won’t work,” I thought, furrowing my eyebrows. I mentally dismissed the superficial ideas by not engaging in the discussion. It wasn’t until I heard my own brilliant idea shot down that I realized how my critical spirit had been poisoning the atmosphere and stifling the creativity of others. My critical spirit had built a wall—separating me from truly hearing how God was leading others for the ministry.

In Philippians 2:3-4, we are reminded to value others above ourselves. My critical spirit revealed the opposite—I was elevating my thoughts and opinions above everyone else, missing the humility and love Christ calls me to embody.

At its core, a critical spirit is born from pride. It manifests as the need to compare, to criticize, and to point out faults, all while being blind to our own shortcomings. This prideful stance keeps us from seeing others through the lens of grace and love that Christ offers. It also blinds us to our own need for grace, creating division in our relationships and disconnecting us from God.

So, how do we begin to cultivate the opposite of a critical spirit? How do we embrace true humility?

Step 1: Shift Your Perspective
We are not the center of the universe, and our opinions aren’t always the most important. True humility requires seeing others as valuable and loved by God. When we understand that every person is made in God's image, regardless of their flaws, we begin to replace judgment with empathy. This shift in perspective allows us to recognize the dignity and worth of others and value their contributions.

Step 2: Honestly Assess Yourself
Pride blinds us to our own flaws, but humility requires self-reflection. Instead of focusing on the mistakes or shortcomings of others, look inward and ask God to reveal your own areas of weakness. Acknowledge your need for grace and, in turn, extend grace to those around you.

Step 3: Serve Others Selflessly
Humility grows when we put others first. Jesus exemplified this by serving others, even though He was the Son of God. By following His example, we learn to serve without expecting anything in return. Acts of service—whether big or small—teach us to put others' needs before our own.

Reflect: As you reflect today, consider how a critical spirit might be taking root in your life. Is pride keeping you from seeing others through God’s eyes? Ask God to help you surrender that pride and cultivate humility.

Pray: Lord, I confess my tendency towards pride and ask for your forgiveness. Transform my heart and help me to cultivate humility in my life. In Jesus’ name, Amen.