The fall-like weather this week (at least in the mornings) drew me to take a short walk this morning. As I meandered around my apartment complex before dawn, I thought about a comment from last night's Bible study class. In talking after class with a couple of friends, the comment was made, "We are our own worst critics." I can't tell you how many times I have claimed and do claim that comment as I go about tasks, projects, and daily life. Most of the time, it's an internal commentary but occasionally makes it out in such a comment (likely in a hesitant fashion to try to rationalize that maybe I was being too hard on myself or having some unrealistic expectation). If I were truly honest, I'd probably be embarrassed if others could hear my inner critic that is so deeply rooted.
But this morning was a different train of thought, as I attempt to be more mindful of "taking every thought captive" (2 Cor. 10:5). So, here's what God put on my heart and in my thoughts as I considered this inner critic this morning...
Being a critic - of myself or others - is not of God. It more often than not takes on a condemning tone, rather than a constructive or convicting tone. As we walk with God, we know that the Holy Spirit will convict us of sin, but never condemn. Conviction beckons repentance at the foot of the cross. Condemnation comes from Satan to ensnare us with the thoughts that we're not __________ enough, we're not worthy of God's love and that's the end story. But let us not forget that, though we are not worthy in our own right, as followers of Christ we are made worthy by the sacrifice Christ made on the cross.
Romans 8:1-4
"Therefore there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For in Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit of life has set you free from the law of sin and death. For what the Law was powerless to do in that it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in likeness of sinful man, as an offering for sin. He thus condemned sin in the flesh, so that the righteous standard of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit."
In condemning ourselves, we take a seat of judgement of our own actions through our own eyes. We can even be hypocritical, failing to recognize God as the only true judge instead of humbly seeking God for a deeper sense of identity as a follower of Christ.
Romans 14:22
"The faith which you have, have as your own conviction before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves."
I can't help but think about how many times my inner critic has halted me from pursuing an idea, sharing my work, following that gut instinct. Yet, amidst the 'what ifs?' there's a steadfast trust that refocuses my attention to the One thing that matters most with renewed confidence of this:
Romans 8:28
"And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose."
So, here's to taming the inner critic, to trusting and taking thoughts captive...seeking as Romans 12:2 says, to "be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will."
