“Judge not, that you be not judged. For with the judgment you pronounce you will be judged, and with the measure you use it will be measured to you. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when there is the log in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother’s eye” Matthew 7:1-5, ESV.

Don’t let criticism be your response to someone else’s success. Let it be celebration not critique. The silent envy and jealousy will end up being the seed, the reason, your own fruit won’t grow. They are simply trying to do God’s will, but instead of meeting them with prayers, they are met with a critique. Criticism keeps a person judging someone else’s race instead of running their own.

Make it a point to stay focused on your own race. Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12). What God has called you to do to advance His kingdom and spread the gospel of Christ. Don’t hate but celebrate. Pray for them. Help them with wisdom given in love if the Lord leads you to. But stay clear of the fruit of criticism.

Prayer: Father, I repent if I have met anyone trying to do good with criticism. Help me not to do that. I will love and celebrate others, not critcize them. I will pray for them and help in love as I am led to. Keep my heart clear of envy and jealousy. May I run my race and let you do what you desire to do through my life. Use me, Father. In Jesus’ name, Amen!

Study: Ephesians 4:32, James 3:16 & 4:11-12, 1 Corinthians 13:1-8