Disunity, is something that God HATES. It is sin.
Can we agree on this, that jealousy, bitterness, resentment, criticism, doubt, judgment, etc. All these things are not of God, and are not present in heaven?
When we criticism others, we are actually tearing them down. We are speaking curses over them.
(By the way, we have little understanding of just how much power our words have. Jesus cursed a fig tree and it withered and died. I have heard many stories of similar things happening since.)
There is a place for correction and maybe even godly judgment. But I think, and feel free to disagree with me here, unless we are so sure that it is God, we should be very careful just how we sue our words. Because, we might actually be working for the wrong person.
Let me paint a picture for you. That when we criticise and complain about our spiritual leader, pastor, boss, parents. That satan's plan is to get us angry and bitter towards them. He desires that we be in disunity with each other. That is his will. When we do these things, we actually start playing for his side. We are agreeing with the plans of the enemy.
Woah. Confronting stuff.
Imagine for a moment, that when we see someone do something that we don't like. We spend some time interceding for them. We get an encouraging word for them. We give them a hug. We love them and spur them on to the things that God has for them.
I was very challenged by this. I am quite outspoken. I have strong opinions. And I was so quick to voice them. My response to problems was to address the negative, and show them their wrong to make it right.
God showed me that I could do that, but if I want to be releasing people to change the world, my focus should be on inspiration and drawing them into the fullness of Jesus. If I can get them into His presence more, He will sort out the rest.
My challenge to you, is one to myself as well. Next time, when it is so easy to speak a word in judgment, speak instead love, knowing that God has it under control, and encourage them to the truth.
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
1 Peter 4:8
God bless, and remain in love!
Daniel