On Criticism

It seems to me that I have become more critical than I used to be. It is apparent to my wife as well.

I am being confronted, through books, current events, movies, life circumstances, sermons, and other channels, with many things about which my thinking is found wanting against a Biblical standard. The task of reviewing my thoughts and beliefs against Scripture has become so regular that I tend to overreact and challenge everything. Many "truths" in our world do need a Biblical challenge, but it cannot be in pure criticism of which I am so often guilty.

I do not want to believe or communicate that I am the only one in the right (Prov. 15:22).
I do want to speak truth and challenge error (Eph. 4:15).
I want to speak truth in love, to edify (Eph. 4:15-16).
I do not want to dwell on error (Phil 4:8).
I want to focus on that which is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy (Phil. 4:8).