Failure is guaranteed when a person indulges freely in criticism, setting himself up as judge over both God and man. The critical spirit is rooted in the ancient sin of Adam to be “as god,” deciding good and evil by one’s own standards and it expresses itself in relentless fault-finding with everyone except oneself. Such a person trusts no one, tolerates no freedom in others, and lives in lonely frustration, corroded inwardly by the very judgments he dispenses. Criticism becomes his false authority, his pleasure artificial, and his relationships barren. In contrast, the Christian abandons this claim to judgment, acknowledging himself a sinner saved by grace, and therefore replaces criticism with forgiveness, patience, and love. Seeing his own weakness, he trusts not himself but the Lord, and in humility finds strength, peace, and deliverance from failure, resting confidently in God whose goodness is laid up for those who fear and trust Him.

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