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The Overcoming Christian Life
 John 16:33
"I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world." 
The Christian life is an overcoming life. Even though we will definitely have problems and personal struggles in this life, we will be able to overcome because of Jesus. Because of Him, we have victory over the world, including sinful habits, bitterness, loneliness, guilt, fear, and discouragement.Dear reader, God wants you to live an overcoming life! Please read the followinglesson with faith, not in yourself, but in God.
Lesson 7 – Overcoming a criticalattitude
 Matthew 5:7 
“Blessed are the merciful, for they will be shown mercy.”
 James 2:13
“Mercy triumphs over judgment!”
Introduction
In Matthew 5:7, Jesus blesses those who overlook faults, forgive failures, andshow mercy to those who have fallen. This type of people can see the good in everysituation, even when that situation has hurt them personally. They see the glass as half full instead of half empty.The Bible says Christians ought to be these type of positive and encouraging people—not because we are unrealistic or blind to the facts, but because we believe in aGod who can turn around bad situations and forgive the most heinous betrayal.
What is a critical attitude?
Some people always see things in a negative light. In every situation, they willhave some complaint or find some fault. They lack mercy in their judgments of themselves and others.Definitely, it is helpful to carefully consider ourselves and situations. But if wefall into a deep negativity, we will eventually harm ourselves and those around us. Whatare the dangers of a critical attitude?
A critical attitude tears down, but doesn’t build up
If we have a critical attitude, we are playing judge, jury, and executioner all atonce. This type of criticism is not constructive, but destructive. In 2 Corinthians 13:10,Paul said that God gave him authority for the purpose of building people up, not tearing
 
them down. Even though Paul was passing judgment on the Corinthians in the letter by pointing out their wrong attitudes, he was
warning 
them and not
condemning 
them. Heused his authority to pass judgment on them (judge), with the hope they would decide his judgment true and repent (jury), and he would not have to exercise his authority todiscipline (execute). If Paul, an apostle who wrote 13 books of the Bible and pioneeredChristianity throughout the Roman empire, was so careful to use his criticism to build people up, how much more careful should we be!
A critical attitude steals our joy and poisons our relationships
A critical attitude is like a disease. Some people know they have a critical attitude, but can’t change. We may find some small satisfaction in passing judgment on this or that, but that satisfaction is short-lived. A more lasting satisfaction comes fromrecognizing improvement and celebrating success. People want to be around positive people, not critical people.
A critical attitude makes us resemble Satan
Satan is famously critical. He has the worst attitude in the universe and wants usto share in his misery. He always is able to see the downside of every situation, plan, or action. Satan used to be a powerful angel in heaven, and many Christians believe he wasthrown down out of heaven because he found fault with God and rebelled. If we have acritical attitude, we resemble Satan more than we resemble God.
What causes a critical attitude?
We develop a critical attitude; it doesn’t all come at once. Several factorscontribute to our forming a critical attitude:
•
Past experiences.
If our parents emphasized guilt and punishment, we mayuse harsh standards to judge ourselves and others. This type of past experiencemakes it hard for us to compliment others.
•
Physical tiredness.
If we are too tired or are sick, we may become easilyannoyed and judgmental.
•
Negative company.
Who we hang around with often shapes our outlook andthe way we talk. If we are always around negative people who enjoycriticizing others, we are likely to pick up on that.
•
Desire for justice.
Some people may criticize and judge because they have astrong sense of right and wrong. Even if they do not say things out loud, theymay pass judgment in their mind.
•
Pride.
At the root of our critical attitude is pride. We put others down becauseit feeds our pride. Sometimes, our pride is without shame. It will cause us tocriticize those who in nearly all respects are better people than ourselves. Weenjoy pointing out their weaknesses and failures.
How to overcome our sinful habits
1. See people as God does
 
Our perspective on ourselves, other people, and situations in life should changeonce we become Christian. When we recognize that God is sovereign and loves peopleunconditionally, it will have a dramatic effect on how we look at the world. For everydifficult person or situation, we will be able to see how God can work a miracle to changethat person.Take a moment to consider some difficult person that you have criticized in the past. Can you see the possibility of God changing that person? If you can, then why not pray that way?!Our God changed Saul, the persecutor of the church, into Paul, the apostle whoseheart was wholly for Jesus. Nothing is impossible for Him.
 Luke 18:27 
 Jesus replied, “What is impossible with men is possible with God.”
2. See situations as God does
If God is sovereign, omniscient, and loving, then logically we should also expectthat God will work out everything for the good of His people. We have no reason to benegative because God is in control. Even if we suffer some difficult situation or learnsome painful lesson, God must have a good purpose in it.
 James 1:2-4 
“Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because youknow that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish itswork so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.”
We are in a spiritual war, where we are battling to save souls from a ruthlessenemy. In this war against sin and Satan, we will face opposition and trouble. We shouldremember that even Jesus paid a high price in this war—and we are not exempt from thefight. However, we have hope because we know God will win. In the end, no sacrifice or suffering we face for the sake of Jesus and the gospel will be in vain.
 Matthew 5:11-12
“Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”
3. Humble ourselves before God
A powerful antidote to a critical attitude is humility before God. When werecognize our own sin and humble ourselves before God, it is very difficult to have acritical attitude toward others.In Galatians 6, Paul is telling the very fractious Galatian church how to liveaccording to the Holy Spirit. The Galatians were caught up in proving their holiness byoutward actions, and as a result, became prideful and judgmental of one another. InGalatians 6:3-5, Paul says that everyone should examine themselves as to whether theylive up to God’s standards, not how they compare to someone else.
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tsupasat

Thank you for reading. For more lessons in the Overcoming Series, including on low self-esteem, loneliness, discouragement, and resentment, go to http://www.scribd.com/collections/232.... God bless you.

reply03 / 30 / 2011
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