Critical Spirit: How to Expose and Overcome It
I know what a critical spirit looks and feels like because early on I spouted off hurtful words without restraint. For some reason, I pointed out to others when they missed it with God. My unsolicited remarks were hurtful.
I’m forever grateful to my husband who lovingly pointed out that I had the tact of a rattlesnake. In all honesty, I wasn’t aware of being critical. Everything I did was fine but everyone else was wrong. Yeah, pretty immature.
Now I routinely filter the words coming out of my heart (spoken and unspoken). My thoughts let me know if my heart is pure or tainted by a critical spirit.
A Critical Spirit Tears Down Others
I admire Teddy Roosevelt. He lived life with gusto, right or wrong. And he was on the receiving end of criticism because he thought outside of the box.
“It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly and errs; who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasm, the great devotions and spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat” – Teddy Roosevelt
In my experience at its worst, a critical spirit gravitates toward Christians who simply do what God says and others slam them for it. Some of the worst criticism can come from “fellow” Christians. Why does that seem to be the case?
When a real gift from heaven operates there’s always a demonic, counterfeit gift also in operation. For instance, the opposite of someone who walks in the office of a prophet is a critical spirit. Namely, a critical spirit listens and follows the wrong voice and speaks accordingly.
Signs of a Critical Spirit at Work
What is the root cause of a critical spirit? I’d say it’s listening to Satan talk to you and doing what he says rather than hearing God speak.
Christians can cultivate the ability to discern spirits. To do that, a Christian is sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. He warns a believer when a specific spirit controls a person (that could also be you) and exposes wrong motives. These signs expose someone with a critical spirit.
- Finding fault with everyone else but themselves. Someone displaying a critical spirit is insecure and has unresolved issues such as open spiritual wounds. They behave carnally rather than being led by the Holy Spirit.
- Critical, religious, and pride spirits routinely work together. A critical spirit working inside a person elevates itself above others.
- A critical spirit attacks other ministers who sound and act differently because they operate under God’s authority. The spirit points fingers of judgment because the person’s flesh makes resolutions rather than the Spirit of God.
- Critical spirits release curses upon others through words. This spirit is not led by hope, grace, and God’s redeeming love.
- Someone exhibiting a critical spirit is usually immature and doesn’t see themselves as righteous in Christ. They don’t actively allow the Holy Spirit to renew their minds. They may harbor bitterness toward others and have a hard time forgiving them.
Overcoming a Critical Spirit
Maybe at some point in your Christian journey, you’ve been critical toward another believer (usually someone who has more spiritual authority than you do).
If that’s true, you can repent from that behavior and endeavor to keep your heart clean. It’s fairly easy to be critical of others unless you keep a check on your own spirit. If you stay humble before God, there’s less chance a critical spirit will wiggle its way into your life. Here’s an excellent scripture to memorize.
Psalm 51:10
Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me.
When another Christian (let’s say someone from the five-fold ministry) obviously misses it, our job as believers is to lift them up through prayer, come alongside them as mentors, and love them to wholeness, not critique everything they do. If you don’t control your mouth, the words you speak could damage another person’s faith. None of us want to be someone’s stumbling block preventing them from walking out God’s plan for them.
Romans 14:10-13
You, then, why do you judge your brother or sister? Or why do you treat them with contempt? For we will all stand before God’s judgment seat. It is written:‘As surely as I live,’ says the Lord, ‘every knee will bow before me; every tongue will acknowledge God.’ So then, each of us will give an account of ourselves to God. Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.
How to Expose a Critical Spirit
Knowing the signs of a critical spirit is one thing but how do you stop it from operating in your life?
- Be alert to what’s in your heart. If you constantly meditate on what’s wrong with others and how bad they are, you open the door to a critical spirit. Do you look for flaws or what’s good in someone else?
- Check your motives. When you can’t wait to tell someone what they do wrong, take a deep look at yourself. As Christians, love for others is always our motivator. We speak the truth in love, at the right time, and think about the other person’s needs. A critical spirit can’t wait to “share” tidbits with others about someone they disapprove of. If you have something God wants you to say, you should say it to them face to face but only when He leads you.
- Get serious about your own sin. It took about a year for David to realize he had sinned with Bathsheba. When he did, he genuinely repented. Anyone who has a blind eye to their own sin closes the door to the Holy Spirit living inside them. He’s the only one who has the authority and knowledge to guide and direct your life.
- Become an encourager. That’s exactly what I did when I realized I had a judgmental heart. I learned how to build up people rather than tear them down.
- Practice giving grace. Staying humble before God prevents the entrance of demonic spirits such as a critical spirit. Humility helps us realize how quickly we can become entangled in sin. Jesus forgives quickly and wants us to do the same thing when forgiving others and ourselves.
- Resist Satan. We have a spiritual enemy intent on tripping us up in any way he can. He loves using us to hurt others. It’s important not to follow through on his suggestions by spreading critical words of hatred.
Ask God to Help You Overcome This Spirit
A Christian can allow the Holy Spirit to use their tongue or Satan. You can build up or tear down others. Only God sees deeply into another’s heart. None of us should EVER be the devil’s advocate. His only job is to kill, steal, and destroy.