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Redeemed from a Critical Spirit

Redeemed from a Critical Spirit. May 1. Think about it …. What comes to mind when you hear the word “critic”? A critical spirit damages our lives. Today we look at two Old Testament characters who criticized their leader We see how God deals with a critical spirit.

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Redeemed from a Critical Spirit

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  1. Redeemed from a Critical Spirit May 1

  2. Think about it … • What comes to mind when you hear the word “critic”? • A critical spirit damages our lives. • Today we look at two Old Testament characters who criticized their leader • We see how God deals with a critical spirit

  3. Listen for who is complaining. Numbers 12:1-3 (NLT) While they were at Hazeroth, Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because he had married a Cushite woman. 2 They said, “Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn’t he spoken through us, too?” But the LORD heard them. 3 (Now Moses was very humble—more humble than any other person on earth.)

  4. Critical Spirit, Selfish Focus • We see it was Moses’ brother and sister who were criticizing him. Why would that be surprising? • What did the conflict with Moses deal with? • What do you think caused Miriam to lose focus at this point in the sequence of events? • What do you think is the most ominous statement in these verses? Why do you think so?

  5. Critical Spirit, Selfish Focus • What are some of the main motivations behind our desire to criticize? • What kind of man was Moses? • How would this help him (and us) deal with disappointments and opposition?

  6. Listen for how God deals with the criticism. Numbers 12:4-11 (NLT) 4 So immediately the LORD called to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam and said, “Go out to the Tabernacle, all three of you!” So the three of them went to the Tabernacle. 5 Then the LORD descended in the pillar of cloud and stood at the entrance of the Tabernacle. “Aaron and Miriam!” he called, and they stepped forward. 6 And the LORD said to

  7. Listen for how God deals with the criticism. them, “Now listen to what I say: “If there were prophets among you, I, the LORD, would reveal myself in visions. I would speak to them in dreams. 7 But not with my servant Moses. Of all my house, he is the one I trust. 8 I speak to him face to face, clearly, and not in riddles! He sees the LORD as he is. So why were you not afraid to criticize my servant Moses?”

  8. Listen for how God deals with the criticism. The LORD was very angry with them, and he departed. 10 As the cloud moved from above the Tabernacle, there stood Miriam, her skin as white as snow from leprosy. When Aaron saw what had happened to her, 11 he cried out to Moses, “Oh, my master! Please don’t punish us for this sin we have so foolishly committed.

  9. God Rejects a Critical Spirit • How did the Lord call the people together who were involved in the conflict with Moses? • Although the Lord called all three siblings into His presence, to whom did the Lord direct His comments? • What did the Lord say about how He spoke to different people? • What did God then do?

  10. God Rejects a Critical Spirit • How do you think God feels when we carry on with an attitude of complaining and accusing one another? • Why do you think God’s correction of Miriam was appropriate? • How did Aaron respond?

  11. God Rejects a Critical Spirit • What does this response say to us about our responsibility when we criticize hurtfully or get criticized hurtfully?

  12. Listen for Miriam’s punishment. Numbers 12:13-15 (NLT) So Moses cried out to the LORD, “O God, I beg you, please heal her!” 14 But the LORD said to Moses, “If her father had done nothing more than spit in her face, wouldn’t she be defiled for seven days?

  13. Listen for Miriam’s punishment. So keep her outside the camp for seven days, and after that she may be accepted back.” 15 So Miriam was kept outside the camp for seven days, and the people waited until she was brought back before they traveled again.

  14. God’s Discipline, Restoration • Who gets hurt when conflicts are not resolved? • What emotions do you sense behind Moses’ appeal to God?

  15. God’s Discipline, Restoration • God speaks to apparent cultural practice • Father shaming daughter • Would show contempt, public humiliation • Seven days banishment … disgrace • Implies this is minor contrasted to Miriam’s actions • Still … this is Miriam’s punishment • Seven days banishment

  16. God’s Discipline, Restoration • How does Miriam’s sentence suggest the restorative grace of God exercised in His discipline on those who sin? • How can we help one another avoid a critical spirit?

  17. Application • Watch your words • Each day this week, meditate on Phil 2:3, “Do nothing out of rivalry or conceit, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves” • Let these concepts guide your words this week

  18. Application • Reject a critical spirit • Ask God to reveal to you any evidence of jealousy or pride that is feeding a critical spirit in your life • Note who you may have criticized recently • Ask for God’s forgiveness

  19. Application • Affirm other people • Practice the opposite of criticism … affirm one another • Note their positive qualities, thank them for their contributions

  20. Redeemed from a Critical Spirit May 1

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