Extinguish the Critical Flame

Have you ever spent time with a group of grumbling, complaining people? Maybe you have taken a trip, and some were less than enthusiastic. Or, maybe you have just allowed your spouse or kids to get tired and/or hungry. It’s impossible to enjoy the company of grumbling people.
With four kids, I hear my share of complaints…I don’t like green beans; I’m hot, while another says, I’m cold; it’s my turn for that seat, etc. My little people often sound like the Israelites who grumbled in the wilderness. They weren’t thankful, joyful or satisfied. Like Moses, I get a bit frustrated with my corporate complainers. I bring the complaining attitude to their attention and ask them to stop. Then, I remind them that God’s Word tells us to do everything without complaining (Phil. 2:14). I have even attempted a no complain month (a great idea another teacher shared. She actually declared no complaining May in her class!)
Without attention, complaining will quickly become a habit, that leads to a critical spirit. Criticism is “to judge, find fault, to blame or condemn.” This is not simply correcting. A critical spirit is a matter of the heart, and horribly contagious. Critical spirits tend to fuel the grumbling of one another.
So, we need to do a self-examination. Ask yourself, am I often grumbling and complaining? Do I have a critical-spirit? Am I judging others? Do I say more positive or negative things about my friends…parents…coach…teacher…fill in the blank. Do my friends say more positive or negative things about people? Even if I’m complaining about small things, my critical spark could be fueling the critical flame of those closest to me.
We all know and recognize the burning flame of a critical spirit; we have seen it in action! Perhaps, at the grocery store…when the clerk cheerfully asks if the patron found everything she needs, the patron begins to explain that the bananas were rotten, the syrup was too high on the shelf, and that the cart had a wiggly wheel. Or, you may have visited a restaurant with someone who burns a flame of critic…he or she complained about the seat being too close to the window, the water having too much ice, and the food being overcooked. These criticisms indicate a negative, pessimistic spirit. Paul offers us an example of a joy filled life. Paul wrote, “Rejoice always! Pray constantly. Give thanks in everything, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). It is very difficult to be critical and joy filled at the same time! And I would venture to say, that it is impossible to be both thankful and critical!
The critical spark can ignite in all of us from time to time. The spark can be fueled by pride, jealousy, and judgement. If you’ve ever been in a fire, you know how quickly flames erupt from a single spark! Remember, it’s also contagious. While the words we say, come from our mouths, the criticism is a matter of the heart. “A good man produces good out of the good storeroom of his heart. An evil man produces evil out of the evil storeroom, for is mouth speaks from the overflow of the heart” (Luke 6:45-46). I encourage you to determine the heart reason for your criticism. Pray for God to give you a spirit of joy and contentment. If you’re critical, you need to determine why. Look for the good in the things or people you tend to criticize. Consistently express your gratitude verbally and written. Extinguish the critical spark instead of allowing it to spread!