Evangelism Bulletin 228 – Culture of Blame and Criticism

Have you noticed the degree to which blame and criticism have entered the bloodstream of our nation? Teachers are worried about disciplining the children for fear of reprisals from parents, the police are fearful of stamping down too strongly on crime for fear of sparking off riots – and so we could cite examples of unrest between ethnic and religious groups, young and old, traditionalists and modernists – the list is endless.

How many of the disputes which go on in churches are down to a lack of appreciation for another person’s point of view of tastes? How many situations in the world lead to violence because of ignorance or intolerance of people who are different from themselves?

I read the words on my daughter’s fridge magnet which said…

Before you criticise someone

Try walking in their shoes for a mile.

Then you will be a mile further away –

And you will have an extra set of shoes!

Joking apart, there’s some wisdom in these words. We are quick to pin the blame for the country’s economic woes upon Presidents, Prime Ministers and Chancellors but would we do any better in their position -  and how much of it is down to the ‘greed culture’ which pervades our nations? Some people criticised the police in London for standing idly by as rioters torched public buildings and stoned the police and their cars. Would you like to be a policeman in those situations? We are scarcely into the new football season and the fans of some football clubs are baying for the blood of their managers as the team’s form dips (mentioning no names, of course!).

The Bible has some important words for us on this topic.

“Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things.” (Philippians 4:8)

It is so easy for our human nature to draw the wrong conclusion about other people simply because they upset our thinking or peace of mind. Perhaps a closer look at their motives and a deeper understanding of the problems they are seeking to solve may reveal that they are acting out of real compassion and for the benefit of many. Perhaps their motives are true, noble, pure and praiseworthy – but we haven’t seen things from their point of view – and are too quick to blame or criticise.

I love the words from James who wrote – “But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.” (James 3:17).

You can always tell when a person is acting in a godly way by comparing their actions to these words. You can also substitute the name ‘Jesus’ for the word ‘Wisdom’ – “Jesus is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere”.

I’ll leave you with some words from Dorothy Law Nolte …

If a child lives with criticism

He learns to condemn.

If a child lives with hostility

He learns to fight.

If a child lives with ridicule

He learns to be shy.

If a child lives with praise

He learns to appreciate.

If a child lives with approval

He learns to like himself.

If a child lives with acceptance and friendship

He learns to find love in the world.

An extract from ‘Children learn what they live’