Bible Text: Jn. 14:30 | SUNDAY LIGHT (17/11/19, 24/11/19, 1/12/19)
Watchman Catholic Charismatic Renewal Movement
 
Topic:  SATAN’S PROPERTIES RETAINED BY MANY IN THE CHURCH (Part 6)
Text:                                                          Jn. 14:30
 
INTRODUCTION:
As we gain momentum in the post LEAP Declaration era, it behoves every Watchman to watch his life, and take precautions against the counter-attacks of the enemy. And one of the enemy’s strategies is the planting of Satanic seeds (cons. Jn. 10:10 cp. Matt. 13:25).
 
It is therefore expected that as we continue in the series on Satan’s properties retained by many in the church, every Watchman will resolve not to have anything to do with them, uprooting them where they exist or resisting their emergence where otherwise (cons. Pro. 22:3).
 
So far we have considered the following destructive traits – Unteachable Disposition, Stubbornness, Self-will, Craftiness and Covetousness; and today, we shall be looking at ‘CRITICAL MINDEDNESS’. 
 
The message shall be coming under the following sub-headings
 
(a).  Description and Devastation of ‘Critical Mindedness’, (b).  Divine Objection to and Damnation of ‘Critical Mindedness’, and (c). Destruction of ‘Critical Mindedness’
 
A.    Description And Devastation Of ‘Critical Mindedness’
By critical mindedness, it is meant “the disposition or inclination to criticize or find fault”. This trait is a cancerous development in a Christian’s life, and is unfortunately prevalent in this age. Like an aberration, it causes the distortion of the vision of its victim. The vision of the fault finder can be likened to that presented when one looks through a dirty, wet and stained window pane.
 
The sick of this infirmity often engage in all or some of the following repulsive activities: – meddling or interfering in matters that don’t pertain to them (1Pet. 4:15); condemning others without considering the people’s circumstances or their own inadequacies (cons. Ps.103:13-14; 2Pet.2:9-12; Matt. 7:3-5); over estimating themselves (1Cor. 8:2, Gal. 6:3), consciously or unconsciously boasting of their credits or ability (cons. 1Cor. 4:7), and refusing to learn or be taught because of the associated sense of perfection or adequacy (cons. Jn. 9:40-41, cp. Phil. 3:13). 
 
This infirmity (critical mindedness) wreaks havoc in homes, as affected partners or members of household are continually exposed to stress from the battering words of the critical mouth; in the house of God, it creates tension and tumoils as the critic displays ungodly boldness to speak evil of authority or of others (cons. Tit. 3:2; Jude 8,10a).  While this trait may have some positive impact in the polity (because of the unregenerated nature of most of the actors), it is repugnant and malignant in the house of God. (Cons. Num.12:1-10; 16:1-15, 20-32; Rom14:4; Jas.4:10,12)
 
B.     Divine Objection To, And Damnation Of Critical Mindedness.
The Lord strongly objects to the manifestation of the trait, as it is an evidence of the absence of divine love (cons. 1Cor13:7; Matt. 7:3-5; Gal. 6:1,4; Rom. 14:13).
 
The impenitent critical minded one will ultimately be damned as a sequel of the damage inflicted on self, or to other people or to the house of God (Gal. 6:7-8; 2Pet.2:9-13; Heb. 12:15; Rom. 14:13; Pro. 28:2).
 
C.    Destruction Of Critical Mindedness (Matt. 15:13)
The following are steps to freedom from the damning infirmity: –
(i)        Recognize the gravity of one’s crippling condition (cons. Ps. 51:3-5).
(ii).      Repent of the offence caused by the condition (Prov. 28:13).
(iii).    Restitute where applicable (cons. Lk. 19:8-9; Act. 24:16).
(iv).     Resist the resurgence of such attitude (cons. 1Pet. 5:5).
(v).      Reject friends of such feathers (cons. 1Cor. 15:33)                      
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