Words wound. We know that. Someone’s words have probably hurt you recently, and you’ve probably hurt someone with your words too. Word wounds are often the product of a critical spirit—in you or the other person.
Those who give free rein to a critical spirit tear down other people rather than build them up. Over time, a person who is the target of this unwarranted disapproval may feel unworthy, unloved, or unaccepted. Satan uses a critical spirit to destroy both the inflictor and the recipient.
The Bible repeatedly warns against a critical spirit. Romans 14:10–13 instructs, “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. … 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.” This passage highlights that a critical spirit can construct a stumbling block, which prevents someone from receiving salvation or growing in their faith.
What can you do to heal the damage caused by someone’s hurtful words?
For the person damaged by other people’s critical spirits, the healing begins with understanding their God-given identity. God gives each person a unique set of talents and abilities. No individual is the same as any other. God creates each person with a specific purpose and gives them a specific role in the kingdom of God.
The next step in healing a mind and soul damaged by another’s critical spirit is embracing God’s unconditional love. Our Creator loves each person because He created them, and no one’s cruel words or actions can separate us from that love (see Romans 8:38–39).
Hurting people living under the darkness of someone else’s critical spirit need to know their value to God, and they need to receive praise for their unique talents and abilities. Satan will tempt them to believe they are the person someone with a critical spirit says they are. That’s a lie. The critical spirit of other people has done much harm and stolen much self-esteem from far too many for far too long. God’s heart and intention is for those wounded by others’ judgmental words to experience His deep love and feel the pure, unconditional love that flows from His heart.
How can you overcome your critical spirit?
Satan will try to blind us to the pride, hypocrisy, and self-righteousness that feeds the critical spirit in our heart. Keep asking God to open your eyes to those sins.
Healing from the damage inflicted by a critical spirit and overcoming that destructive spirit in ourselves are possible only through allowing God to do His work in us. Thankfully, He’s willing and able to do that tough work. Be encouraged with these promises:
He is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine. (Ephesians 3:20)
[He] is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you before his glorious presence without fault and with great joy. (Jude 1:24)
Embrace those promises, then share them with someone who needs to be encouraged.
