How many spouses have been told, “You can never do anything right”? How many children have been told, “You can never do anything right?” Such words are crushing! And while those exact words may not ever be spoken, a person’s attitude and constant criticism can send that message loud and clear to another.
Sitting in the critic’s chair is easy to do—whether that’s in marriage, in the home, in the workplace, in the church, or anywhere else. Pointing the finger and suggesting that someone doesn’t know what they’re doing can make the critic feel accomplished and the recipient feel like a failure.
What if we all made a conscious effort to praise more than we criticize? What if we all endeavored to be strength-seekers instead of fault-finders? What a difference it could be to “build up one another” (1 Thess. 5:11), rather than “bite and devour one another” (Gal. 5:15)!