DCLM Higher Everyday 18 January 2024 — Condemnable Criticisms
Topic: Condemnable Criticisms
Text: Numbers 12:1-8
1And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.
2And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it.
3(Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.)
4And the LORD spake suddenly unto Moses, and unto Aaron, and unto Miriam, Come out ye three unto the tabernacle of the congregation. And they three came out.
6And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.
7My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house.
8With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches; and the similitude of the LORD shall he behold: wherefore then were ye not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?
Key Verse: “And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married…And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it” (Numbers 12:1,2)
Message
There is a notable difference between helping somebody to be fulfilled and making somebody to fail or fall down. While good counsel achieves the first purpose, the aim of negative criticism is to condemn and pull down. Criticism is the act of judging unfavourably or an act of faultfinding. It has to do with attacking somebody’s character and personality.
Miriam’s intention was not to counsel her younger brother, Moses, but to judge and challenge his authority and leadership. Most criticisms are done out of jealousy. The Bible forbids believers from speaking evil of their leaders, whether spiritual or secular leaders. Christian youths should not copy the ungodly among whom they dwell to criticize and find faults with their leaders. A learner that criticizes his instructor will not benefit much from him. So the youths that listen to gospel messages with the aim of finding faults will not be blessed of the Lord. For Miriam’s criticism of God’s servant, she was afflicted with leprosy. She was banished from the camp of Israel temporarily before God delivered her through Moses’ intercessory prayer. Are you a faultfinder like Miriam?
Quote:Most criticisms are done out of jealousy.
Challenge: Criticism closes a learner’s mind to knowledge.
Prayer for today: Sanctify my tongue, Oh God, in Jesus’ name.
1. Admit that you are a sinner. "For all [humans] have sinned, and comes short of the glory of God....[and] the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord" (Romans 3:23)
2. Repent now. "Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out ...[for] if we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness " (Acts 3:19, 1 John 1:9)
3. Believe that God loves you and Jesus died for you. "God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet Sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8)
4. Invite Jesus into your life through prayer of faith. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me" (Revelation 3:20)
