“the consequences of a critical spirit & negative...

“The Consequences of a Critical Spirit & Negative Thinking”

Dr. Kenneth Jones

Pastor, Practical Living Ministry

A Teaching from PLM@ KJones copyright

1

▪ God wants us to truly experience “Life in the Spirit,” which can be hindered or negated in our lives if we continue to choose to live carnally

▪ Romans 8:6 - For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

▪ To be carnally minded means the minding of the things of the flesh, giving to them supreme attention. The Carnal mind is a mindset of choice

▪ It means walking according to reasoning dictated by what your five senses. It denotes our human nature

▪ The Carnal mindset is Self-focused and feelings oriented and under the influence of the principles which govern the people of this world

▪ 1 Corinthians 3:3 - For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?

A Teaching from PLM@ KJones copyright 2

It is interesting that people seek counsel or read the Bible to support their way or pattern of thinking rather than desiring to renew their

minds to the Word of God.

It is as if their way of thinking, which is usually reprobate or carnal in nature is more preferable than operating from a renewed or spiritual

mindset.

Deuteronomy 32:4: He is the Rock; his deeds are perfect. Everything he does is just and fair. He is a faithful God who does no wrong; how just

and upright he is!

Psalms 100:5: For the LORD is good; his mercy is everlasting; and his truth endureth to all generations.


Romans 12:3 - For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man

the measure of faith.

▪ A critical spirit is rooted in pride – it seeks to bring others down while it lifts itself up

▪ A critical spirit is also considered as one who complains- expressing dissatisfaction or annoyance leading to a desire to vent negative emotions

▪ A person of this spirit does not wish to correct nor does it wishes to assist


▪ Negative people tend to focus on others’ faults (or their own faults). They may regularly point out shortcomings with their comments, attitudes, and frowns.

▪ Negativity is a pattern of Sinful Thinking.

▪ A negative spirit never operates in faith and will wear on the faith of others

▪While there may be some negativism in the statement, there may be some partial truth in what one may say


▪ Hinders relationship with God and Others

▪ Hinders your spiritual growth and destructive to your faith

▪ It Grieves the Holy Spirit and hinders the Flow of Revelation knowledge (Hebrews 2:1)

▪ God hates, & Judges it, and it keeps you separated from him

▪ Being around critical and negative people hinders your spiritual zeal and productivity

▪ A spirit of criticism and negativity is a tactic of the evil one to bring division to the body and destroying its unity. ▪ Satan knows that if he can divide the body he can neutralize its effectiveness.


▪Negative Patterns of thinking ▪ “Holds us in Place” and prevents us from going forward

▪ Can be destructive if untreated

▪ Provide Legal access to the enemy to attack us spiritually


Numbers 11: And when the people complained, it displeased the LORD: and the LORD heard it; and his anger was kindled; and the fire of the LORD burnt among them, and consumed them that were

in the uttermost parts of the camp. 2 And the people cried unto Moses; and when Moses prayed unto

the LORD, the fire was quenched. 3 And he called the name of the place Taberah: because the fire of the LORD burnt among them

▪ The People Complained (Criticized) about their condition, God heard it, He showed His anger and displeasure, and they were judged


https://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=nu 11:2&t1=en_kjv&sr=1


▪ Criticism is to dwell on a “perceived” fault of another with no desire to help or correct that fault.▪ “perceived fault” – It doesn’t have to be true. It is impossible to perceive another person perfectly

▪ Complaining – Expressed dissatisfaction with a circumstance or person that is not wrong and about something that I am not doing nothing myself to correct.

▪ The problem with human judgment is that we do it from a perspective of ourexperiences, our position, or with perceived or inaccurate/biased knowledge

▪ The Manna represents “bread” also representing the “Word” of God – One of the biggest issue in the church today is an increasing intolerance of the Word of God▪ “2 Timothy 4:3: For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine;


Numbers 11;4-6 : And the mixt multitude that was among them fell a lusting: and the children of Israel also wept again, and said, Who shall give us flesh to eat? 5We remember the fish, which we did eat in Egypt freely; the cucumbers, and the

melons, and the leeks, and the onions, and the garlick: 6 But now our soul isdried away: there is nothing at all, beside this manna, before our eyes.

▪ The mixt multitude - The word in the original resembles our “riff-raff,” and denotes a mob of people scraped together. It refers here to the multitude of strangers (Exodus 12:38) who had followed the Israelites from Egypt.▪ Always consider the company you keep – As they began to complain, it spread to the children of Israel (1st Corinthians 15:33)

▪ Negativism distorts reality at times: “We had it so good in Egypt!” Then why are you following these Jews? Maybe it wasn’t that good.




▪ Be careful who or what you are criticizing – Check your Motive▪ Their real charge was that Moses "goes about acting as if he is the only one the LORD speaks through," accusing Moses of pride. This motive was to put Moses down, making him seem proud.

▪ Be sure you have the authority, knowledge, revelation, or responsibility to make such a criticism of a person▪ God had spoken to Miriam and Aaron in the past - but He had not given them the authority to lead

the nation.

▪ Be careful how you do it - Make statements about someone based on your judgement and not God’s▪ Miriam and Aaron were making these statements openly, in an attempt to shame Moses

▪ If you are around someone who criticize a lot - don't participate - God hears and will judge you also


Four Legs Good, Two Legs BetterSquealer from Animal Farm (Author: George Orwell)

• Who is speaking to you these days? Be careful who you listen to and what they are saying to you.

• Who is speaking into your life? Ensure you are in a place where those who are speaking into your life provide truth and direction promoting godliness and spiritual maturity

• Who are you speaking for? We should speak the oracles of God in the ability which god giveth so that he may be glorified. Ensure you speak for righteousness’ sakeA Teaching from PLM@ KJones copyright 12

Numbers 12: 1-3: And Miriam and Aaron spake against Moses because of the Ethiopian woman whom he had married: for he had married an Ethiopian woman.

2 And 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.)

Vs. 9: And the anger of the LORD was kindled against them; and he departed.

Miriam's leprosy is healed though God commands her to be shut out of the host

10 And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam becameleprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. 11 And Aaron said unto Moses, Alas, my lord, I beseech thee, lay not the sin upon us,

wherein we have done foolishly, and wherein we have sinned.






▪ Did they realize who they were speaking to or about? God’s Servant, Moses

▪ Did they have the authority or even the need to question it?

▪ One attribute of a Critical or Judgmental spirit is the need to Express oneself or “Vent”▪ “I just got to say it!” “I need to get this off my chest!” Well, no you don’t

▪Miriam was the Instigator, so the punishment fell on he alone. Aaron was misled and he had to give account for his sin in participating


Numbers 12:2 - They said, "Has the LORD spoken only through Moses? Hasn't he spoken through us, too?" But the LORD heard

them. (NLT)

▪ Maybe By Their standards, Moses shouldn’t have been The Only leader▪ He was a stutterer – Aaron had to speak for him (Exodus 4:10; Exodus 6:12)

▪ Moses was meek – Which made him an easy target for Criticism▪ Late twentieth-century Western culture does not hold meekness to be a virtue, in contrast to the ancient Near East and the Greco-Roman world, which placed a high premium on it.

▪ The meek person is not self-willed - not continually concerned with self, his own ways, ideas, and wishes. He is willing to put himself in second place and submit himself to achieve what is good for others. Meekness is the opposite of self-will, self-interest, and self-assertiveness.

▪ Meekness models the humility of Jesus Christ (Philippians 2:6-8)▪ Meekness is having the right or the power to do something but refraining for the benefit of someone else


▪ It’s not about who you are but who God appoints

▪We tend to look upon our worldly status and judge by carnal means (1 Cor 3:1-3)

▪ Because we don’t fear God, we make submission “conditional” to suit our needs and not God’s purposes


▪ Aaron’s position as a priest and a Brother of Moses▪ From a position of Superiority▪ Aaron's life shows us we don't have to be the leader to play an important role.

▪ Yet Aaron had issues with obedience and joined Miriam in criticizing Moses' marriage to a Cushite woman.

▪ Miriam, the Older Sister -▪ Miriam was a Prophtess in her own right (Ex. 15:20)▪ Miriam led the women of Israel in a song and dance of celebration after the Pharaoh's men were drowned in the sea (Ex. 15:20-21).

▪ God sees not as man sees- Those who God appoints are appointed for his purposes – not yours▪ Many times people criticize their leaders because they don’t fear God (Romans 3:18) and with no fear, there is no restrain of what they do


▪ You have likely heard the saying "familiarity breeds contempt", which means the more you know something or someone, the more you start to find faults and dislike things about it or them –– or merely take them for granted.

▪ Our attitude can restrict the work of God!

▪We honor God when we honor the message and God’s Appointed▪ 1st Corinthians 11:1, 2: Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ. 2 Now I praise you, brethren, that ye remember me in all things, and keep the ordinances, as I delivered them to you.’

▪ That ye remember me in all things - That you are disposed to regard my authority and seek my direction in all matters pertaining to the good order of the church.


https://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=1co 11:2&t1=en_kjv&sr=1

▪When faced with criticism and a negative spirit, ensure that you “Respond” instead of “React”

▪ Discern before you Decide to Act

▪ Don’t Allow the Enemy to draw you out into the flesh

▪ Realize that People who don’t understand authority or respect for leaders, can hinder or destroy the work through pessimism, dissension, and sowing discord.


▪To react is to be stirred many times to “fight or flight

▪To respond usually requires conscious thought, Spiritual discernment, Godly Wisdom, and reasoned actions. ▪ Example: David’s soldiers vs. David in 1 Sam 30:6


▪ Challenge Authority

▪ Discouragement and exhaustion – Usually at the Half way point of achieving your goal or vision

▪ Negativism – Criticism Towards the Work ($5 worth of Information)

▪Mockery and sarcasm – Make light of or Diminish the work

▪ Stimulate Fear – Intimidate or create events to create anxiety and fear

▪ Threats and intimidation – Discouraging the Work


Galatians 5:16-18:

"Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh—and these are contrary the one to the other—so that you cannot do the things that you would. But if you are led of the

Spirit, you are not under the law."

If our renewed mind, transformed by the word and spirit of God is not leading or teaching us, then we will fall subject to the works of the flesh.

The problem arises when we try to live both walks and it will end in chaos and confusion.


▪ Let’s look at the list that Galatians 5:19-21 Provides:

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred,

variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not

inherit the kingdom of God.

▪ The Works of the flesh are manifest meaning “Now the works of the flesh are evident” – Evidence reveals the truth of something.


https://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=ga 5:20&t1=en_kjv&sr=1

https://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=ga 5:21&t1=en_kjv&sr=1

▪ Our sinful flesh produces certain types of fruit that reflect our nature, and the Holy Spirit produces types of fruit that reflect His nature.

▪ Works – deeds, conduct, something which requires pre-occupation usually by hand or by the mind▪ Manipulated by the course of our thinking or by demonic forces▪ The works of the flesh are the things human beings naturally tend toward that are contrary to God’s design for us (Romans 1:28–29).

▪ Fruit - that which originates or Produced from something, an effect, a result▪ For the furtherance of the soul and profit to others▪ Harvest for the purpose of gaining eternal life▪ Produced and guided by the Spirit of God through the Love of God – Romans 5:5▪ What pleases the Lord in our lives is not a “work” but a “fruit” that the Spirit alone can produce.


https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Rom 1.28%E2%80%9329

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Religious SinsIdolatry and witchcraft

(Sorcery)

People & Social SinsInterpersonal and BehavioralPeople Sins are primarily express

themselves in how we treat ourselves & others. Social Sins

are sins that are often committed in the company of other people.

Sensual Sins Relating to Sexual

Immorality

Works of the Flesh Galatians 5: 19-21

Adultery, Fornication, Uncleanness & Lewdness

Governance(“Civil laws support” of ungodly relationships)

MindsetSpirit of Error

Rebellion Loss of natural Affection

Violence & WarsPharmacy

(broken households, divorce rate)

(anger, malice, recklessness)(Increased Drug Use & abuse)

(False Teachers, Seducing spirits & Doctrines of Devils)

(Rejection of the truth)

(Self Gratification & Pleasure)

Influence

worship of occult and spiritual powers apart from

the true God

Occultism(Movies, Spiritual formation)

(Reprobate, alienated, Darkened)

Revelry(Date Rape, Trafficking,

out of touch with reality )

A Teaching from PLM@ KJones copyright

Work of the Flesh Description

Hatred Hatred (ekthra) is an attitude of heart, and it somehow expresses itself in actions such as contentions, outbursts of wrath, or many other works of the flesh. Hatred is the inner motivation for the ill treatment of others.

Contentions The Greek word meaning, the rivalry for prizes that usually leads to quarrellings and strife (Romans 13:3 and 1st Cor 3:13); It is a combative and argumentative spirit (mindset, emotions)

Jealousies “The desire to have what someone else has, wrong desire for what is not for us." (Barclay).

Outbursts of wrath Speaks of a sudden flash of anger, not a settled state of anger. It means to lose your temper, being unable to control your anger

Selfish ambitions The ambition which has no conception of service and whose only aims are profit and power." It is the heart of a person whose first question is always, "What's in it for me?"

Dissensions From the Greek word dichostasia, and it literally means "standing apart." Romans 16:17 translates this word as divisions.


Work of the Flesh Description

Heresies Translates a Greek word (hairesis) which originally simply meant "to choose." It is someone who divisively expressed their "choices" or opinions. Implementing wrong teachings and opinions with an intent to divide.

Envy From the Greek word phthonos. It doesn't so much want what someone else has (as in jealousies), but it is bitter just because someone else has something and we don't. The ancient Stoics called this "grief as someone else's good," and the ancient philosopher Euripides said it was "the greatest of all diseases among men."

Murders Murder is not that you want to kill someone, but so much hatred that you wish that person dead.

Drunkenness Being impaired & engaging with an intention of becoming impaired through drinking. Drunkenness is also defined as “wastefulness.” Wasting money, time, and relationships.

Revelries From the Greek word komos, doesn't mean simply having a party or a good time. It means unrestrained partying. A Teaching from PLM@ KJones copyright 27

2 Samuel 6: 14: Wearing a linen ephod, David was dancing before the Lord with all his might.

16 As the ark of the Lord was entering the City of David, Michal daughter of Saul watched from a window. And when she saw King David leaping and dancing

before the Lord, she despised him in her heart.20 When David returned home to bless his household, Michal daughter of Saul came out to meet him and said, “How the king of Israel has distinguished himself today, going around half-naked in full view of the slave girls of his servants as

any vulgar fellow would!”23 And Michal daughter of Saul had no children to the day of her death.

Michal did not consider who she was criticizing and her authority to make that judgment. It’s was also God’s judgment upon her, not her husband.


Matthew 25:24, 25: Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not

strawed: 25 And I was afraid, and went and hid thy talent in the earth: lo,

there thou hast that is thine.

▪ Criticism is based upon a “perceived thought”

▪ The mark of a slothful and wicked servant, his entertaining hard thoughts of his master.


https://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=mt 25:25&t1=en_kjv&sr=1

▪ Hebrews 10:26 - For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more

sacrifice for sins,

▪While many may say what Aaron and Miriam did was “Accusation,” realize that it begins from a pattern of thinking rooted in a critical and judgmental mindset.

▪ Aaron later recognizes what they did as “SIN”


Jude 1: 16-21: These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men's persons in

admiration because of advantage. 17 But, beloved, remember ye the words which were spoken before of the apostles of our Lord Jesus Christ;

18 How that they told you there should be mockers in the last time, who should walk after their own ungodly lusts. 19 These be they who separate themselves, sensual, having not the Spirit. 20 But ye, beloved, building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost, 21 Keep yourselves in the love of

God, looking for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ unto eternal life.

▪ Exercising and Strengthening your spirit by praying in the holy Spirit is one way to perfect the love of God in your life, cast down imaginations due to a heightened spiritual mindset, and align oneself with the father


https://www.studylight.org/desk/?q=jude 1:17&t1=en_kjv&sr=1





Proverbs 18:21: Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it

shall eat the fruit thereof.

2nd Peter 1:3: His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and

godliness, through the knowledge of Him that hath called us to glory and virtue.

1 Peter 1:13: Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end

for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;

2nd Cor 10:4, 5: (For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but mighty

through God to the pulling down of strong holds;). Casting down imaginations,

and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and

bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ;

Philippians 2:5: Let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus:

Colossians 2:7: Let your roots grow down into him, and let your lives be built on

him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will

overflow with thankfulness.

Deuteronomy 30:19: "Today I have given you the choice between life and death,

between blessings and curses. Now I call on heaven and earth to witness the choice

you make. Oh, that you would choose life, so that you and your descendants might

live!

Change (Repent) Choose Cast Down Cultivate

Philippians 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things

are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever

things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue,

and if there be any praise, think on these things.

Renew Your Mind Control Your Tongue Watch Your Associations Submit to the Spirit


▪ Giving Grace Instead of Giving Grief▪ As believers, our words and our lives are to reflect God’s grace.▪ We are to exhort and encourage others instead of the grief that comes from a critical and negative spirit.

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such a word as is good for edification according to the need of the

moment, so that it will give grace to those who hear.”

▪ Paul instructed the Ephesians regarding this, "We are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ . . . so that [the body] builds itself up in love. . . . Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. . . . Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you" (Ephesians 4:15-16, 29, 31-32)


https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Eph 4.15-16

https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians 4.29

https://biblia.com/bible/esv/Ephesians 4.31-32

Lord, through the power of your Spirit, I repent of every thought that I have been allowing to conflict my thinking, leading me away from you and I renounce corrupt thinking and passions that has produced strongholds in my mind and

spiritToday I am making the deliberate decision to start submitting every area of my mind and emotions to the Word of God and

to the sanctifying power of the Holy Spirit. By your grace, please let the power of Your Word and the Influence of your Spirit flow into every area of my mind and emotions, energizing them and fortifying godly thoughts by your presence so that the devil can no longer access me

through these areas of my life!


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