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HOPE Covenant Sermons

Confronting a Critical Spirit

August 17, 2014 Speaker: Series: Remove the Log

Topic: Personal Growth and Recovery Verse: Matthew 7:1–7:5

Remove The Log

“Confronting a Critical Spirit”

Pastor Duane Cross | 08.17.14

“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. For you will be treated as you treat others. The standard you use in judging is the standard by which you will be judged. And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.” Matthew 7:1-5 (NLT)

I. A Critical Spirit is condemned.

“Who are you to condemn someone else’s servants? Their own master will judge whether they stand or fall. And with the Lord’s help, they will stand and receive his approval.” Romans 14:4 (NLT)

II. A Critical Spirit is contagious.

* It incites criticism from others.

* It incites criticism from your creator.

“If you forgive those who sin against you, your heavenly Father will forgive you. But if you refuse to forgive others, your Father will not forgive your sins.” Matthew 6:14-15 (NLT)

“So whatever you say or whatever you do, remember that you will be judged by the law that sets you free. There will be no mercy for those who have not shown mercy to others. But if you have been merciful, God will be merciful when he judges you.” James 2:12-13 (NLT)

III. A Critical Spirit is crippling.

HOW TO CURE A CRITICAL SPIRIT

L – Look at your own flaws first.

O - Only God knows the whole story.

G - Go to prayer first.

E – Expect the best.

Y - You go directly to person.

E – Encouragement is priority of the day.

“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.”
1 Thessalonians 5:11 (NLT)

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