Illustrations – Judging and Criticizing

Illustrative Examples of Judging and Criticizing

Following are illustrations from AMG Bible Illustrations. 2000:

I Drew My Circle Again

When I first became a member of the church, my circle was very big … for it included all who, like myself, had believed. I was happy in the thought that my brethren were many. But, having a keen and observant mind, I soon learned that many of my brethren were erring. I could not tolerate any people within my circle but those who, like myself, were right on all points of doctrine and practice. Too, some made mistakes and sinned. What could I do? I had to do something! I drew my circle again … leaving the publicans and sinners outside, excluding the Pharisees in all their pride, with myself and the righteous and humble within. I heard ugly rumors about some brethren. I saw then that some of them were worldly-minded; their thoughts were constantly on things of a worldly nature. So duty bound, to save my reputation, I drew my circle again … leaving those reputable spiritually-minded within. I realized in time that only my family and myself remained in the circle. I had a good family, but to my surprise, my family finally disagreed with me. I was always right. A man must be steadfast. I have never been a factious man! So in strong determination, I drew my circle again … leaving me quite alone.

Judging Others

Many people sit in judgment on everybody. They seem to delight in imputing unworthy motives to others, and in this respect perhaps they are judging others by themselves. When they see someone working for the Lord, they’ll say, “Oh, yes, George is a real saint, but he gets paid for what he does, you know.” The inference is that if he weren’t paid he’d not be so zealous for the Lord. It may be that the financial compensation for his work had something to do with his decision to engage in it; but it may not have been his main motive by any means. It’s all too human to exaggerate the secondary motives of others. We seem to derive some sort of satisfaction in pointing out the flaws in their characters. It seems that the only way some people can build themselves up in their own eyes is by tearing others down.

Quick to Criticize

A man came up to Moody once and criticized him for the way he went about winning souls. Moody listened courteously and then asked, “How would you do it?” The man, taken aback, mumbled that he didn’t do it. “Well,” said Moody, “I prefer the way I do it to the way you don’t do it.”

Unjust Criticism

A Texas paper comments on the criticisms concerning a preacher: “The preacher has a great time. If his hair is grey he is too old; if he is a young man he hasn’t had enough experience. If he has ten children he has too many; if he has none he is not setting a good example. If his wife sings in the choir she is presuming; if she doesn’t she isn’t interested in her husband’s work. If a preacher reads from notes he is a bore; if he speaks extemporaneously he isn’t deep enough. If he stays at home in his study, he does not mix enough with his people; if he is seen around on the streets, he ought to be home getting out a good sermon. If he calls at the homes of the wealthy, he is an aristocrat; if he calls on the poor family, then he is playing to the grandstand. Whatever he does, someone could have told him to do better.” Pity the poor preacher, and for that matter every leader who has critical followers. Let us have confidence in our spiritual leaders, not blind confidence, but confidence that stems from personal persuasion that they are doing the best that they can under the circumstances.^[1]