The Crosswalk Devotional: A Daily Devotional Christian Podcast One Tip to Break a Critical Spirit
Judging others can feel instinctive—especially when we think we see someone’s motives clearly. Yet Scripture reminds us that our focus on others often reveals what’s in our own hearts. Matthew 7:3 challenges us to examine ourselves before pointing out the faults of others. This devotional explores how a critical spirit can be transformed into a heart of blessing, freeing us to walk in purity and God’s favor.
Intersecting Faith & Life
Reflect on these questions:
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When do you find yourself judging or critiquing others?
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How might God want you to adjust your heart and your perspective?
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What would it look like to bless someone who frustrates or challenges you?
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How can letting go of control over others’ actions deepen your relationship with God?
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Full Transcript Below:
One Tip to Break a Critical Spirit
By Kelly Balarie
Bible Reading:
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" – Matthew 7:3 NIV
Who does she think she is? She is only on social media because she wants people to see her, not because she really cares about anyone or Jesus... She's really in it for herself, and she wants everyone online to know—where she's traveling, what she is doing, how she is looking.
My mind started to go down this critical thinking track again. That is—until I stopped—and then I hung my head down in shame.
The hard truth is—I have judged so many. I have sized up people's intent online. I have sized up and surmised people's wrong motives. I made judgments about people's hearts that only God can know. I have hardened my heart towards people who are even doing the will of God... by deciding they are doing it for attention, for public perception, or for their own recognition.
I hung my head down, saying, "God, what do I know?"
Only God knows.
And what I am judging is what I am walking in. Meaning, I think it is about them, but what I am seeing is actually about me. It is worth taking a second to consider.
"Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye?" (Matt. 7:3)
If I spot it, I likely got it.
When push comes to shove, or when truth comes to light—I am doing what I am judging. I am seeking attention. I sometimes do things so others can see me. I have wrong motives.
No wonder God has shut doors on me; in His grace and love, He wants me to see rightly, so I can then move powerfully with a pure heart. In His saying no, He has created a special room for me to examine my heart. I also see that as I rectify my heart, there is great hope for big, yes opportunities from God.
The truth is, other people's motives are not my issue. My motive is.
What they do is none of my business.
Now I can see that I have been wrong. Dead wrong. But now I turn back to Christ. As I repent of this critical spirit and my wrong motives, they are removed as far as the East is from the West (Ps. 103:12).
Here, I can do a new thing to defeat this critical spirit: I can bless rather than distress others...
What does this look like?
It looks like:
- Noticing when I am criticizing.
- Stopping that mental track.
- Ditching making them my business.
- Praying a blessing over them instead.
Essentially, I can stop, bless, and then progress onward. Their motives are not my business. Me, keeping a pure heart? That's the business I am to be about.
Intersecting Faith & Life:
When do you find yourself judging or critiquing people? How might God want you to adjust course? What would it look like for you to bless those who curse you? What would it look like for you to let go of things or people you cannot control?
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