Dealing with a Critical Spirit

Are you overly critical of yourself? Perhaps of others? And how do you respond to negative, critical people?

In this episode, we discuss how to deal with a critical spirit – whether you are critical of yourself or others, or you have to deal with judgmental people. We discuss the misconceptions around Jesus' command "do not judge" and how a critical spirit can show up in our lives and relationships. After discussing the emotional and relational damage a critical spirit can cause in our lives, we share practical, biblical steps for breaking free from self-criticism and judgmental attitudes, and for handling negative people.

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So you have every reason for hope, for every challenge in life. Because hope means everything.

Hope Talks is a podcast of the ministry of Hope for the Heart.

Listen in to learn more

[00:08:06] What a “Critical Spirit” Really Is

[00:15:00] Heart, Habit, or Hurt? Three Roots of Criticism

[00:19:30] How a Critical Spirit Wrecks Relationships and Joy

[00:27:59] From Self-Hatred to Grace: Seeing Yourself as God Does

[00:40:30] Choosing Gratitude and Overlooking Offenses

Hope for the Heart resources

Book – Critical Spirit: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/store/product/critical-spirit

Order our newest resource, The Care and Counsel Handbook, providing biblical guidance 100 real-life issues: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/care-and-counsel-handbook

Other Hope for the Heart Resources

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Want to talk with June Hunt on Hope in the Night about a difficult life issue? Schedule a time here: https://resource.hopefortheheart.org/talk-with-june-hope-in-the-night

God’s plan for you: https://www.hopefortheheart.org/gods-plan-for-you/

Give to the ministry of Hope for the Heart: https://raisedonors.com/hopefortheheart/givehope?sc=HTPDON

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Bible verses mentioned in this episode

Matthew 7:1–5 -- “Do not judge, or you too will be judged. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. “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? How can you say to your brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye.

Psalm 139:23-24 – Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.

Proverbs 15:1 – “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 19:11 -- Good sense makes one slow to anger, and it is his glory to overlook an offense.

1 Corinthians 13:5 – “love keeps no record of wrongs.”

Proverbs 13:18 - If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored.