Devotional
Yet, another pointer to help us overcome difficulty and hard times as we decisively continue to make conscious efforts to never grow cold in our faith is to “resist the urge to be critical.” Resisting the urge to be critical is being careful of what we say or do, especially in trying times. Scary and frustrating circumstances often tempt us to say and do things we would never say or do when things are going well. So, we need to learn self-control and mind the words we speak.
Key Scripture
I will not say much more to you, for the prince of this world is coming. He has no hold over me,John 14:30 NIV
Refreshing for the Day
Sometimes, in intense anger or stress, we speak out of our emotions, giving Satan the opportunity to lash out at us. Now hear this, when the enemy wants to get at any child of God and attacks his faith, he uses his words. The vagabond knows the power in the word, so he is wary to use it against us. Even Jesus was tempted in this way (and in every way), but He never sinned—even with His words (Matt 4:1-11). When Jesus was faced with hard times, He chose to speak less, but with more purpose. When He was being beaten before He went to the cross, the Bible says that He “opened not His mouth” (Isaiah 53:7).
So, beloved, we must as a matter of urgency, learn to never give the enemy the chance to make us grow cold in our faith. And to achieve this, we must learn to decipher the strategies of the enemy and deactivate them. However, one of the ways to do that is to resist the urge to be critical, especially in hard times. We should be careful of the words we speak and also learn to speak on purpose. Stay Refreshed!
Note This
When you resist the urge to be critical, you’re one step closer to defeating the attack of the enemy, while consolidating your faith in God.
Responsibility
So, dear friend in Christ, ask God for the grace to resist to be critical in your words and actions.
Pause in His presence
Prayer
O LORD, give me the grace to resist the urge to be critical in all my ways, and cause me never to grow cold in my faith, in the name of Jesus’ Amen! (Go ahead and pray for other intentions as the Spirit leads)
Carry this with you
Prophetic Word
As you learn to resist the urge to be critical, may you never open your mouth for the enemy to enter through into your life, in the name of Jesus’ Amen!
Bible Texts
John 14:30, Matt 4:1-11, Isaiah 53:7