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2007-07-03 issue:

Obstacles to integrity and effectiveness

From the Grace and Truth column

by Elaine Bryant

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Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.—Luke 6:37 NKJV

How often do we hear, Who are you to judge? from Christians and non-Christians? A note on Luke 6:37 in the New King James Spirit-filled Life Bible included the words “censorious attitude,” which describes a tendency I have sensed in myself and others.



The tendency to find fault, be harshly or subtly critical, judgmental, legalistic or self-righteous defines censorious. The note in my Bible says the “practice of Christian love and forgiveness is a deterrent to a censorious attitude.” Censoriousness is an obstacle to operating with integrity in the espousal and promotion of Christian love and forgiveness, as well as to our effectiveness in witnessing for Christ and encouraging others to embrace positions we believe critical for the promotion of peace, justice and righteousness.

Censoriousness is an obstacle because it is an attitude that can be linked to a love that has grown cold and a heart that is hardened.

The times in which lawlessness abounds can cause “the love of many to grow cold” (Matthew 24:12). We live in such times. Lawlessness abounds in inner cities, suburbs, government affairs, the corporate world and internationally. We need to beware of actions and attitudes that show love growing cold, because lovingkindness draws.

Actions and attitudes that support acquisition for me and mine as the preeminent consideration in decisions and relationships, rather than the Golden Rule and what the Lord called the “great commandments” and a “new commandment,” indicates that love has grown cold. In Scripture we read, “He who has my commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves me” (John 14:21 NKJV), and God “was in Christ reconciling the world unto himself” (2 Corinthians 5:19 NKJV).

In Ephesians, Christ-conformed principles speak of the need to be “tenderhearted” and “walk in love” in order to be like Christ, which is God’s goal for us. Our statements or behavior indicate whether we are tenderhearted or hard hearted, whether we walk in love or our love has grown cold, whether we are censorious or not.

Paul’s love grew cold toward John Mark. Christians manifest hard-heartedness and love grown cold (as I did for years), when we struggle with giving to people on the street (who ask for money) in spite of the Lord’s words, “Give to him who asks of you” (Matthew 5:42 NKJV). Another manifestation for me is extending forgiveness—to those who hurt others or me—in spite of the Lord’s teaching about forgiving. In such circumstances love grows cold and hardness of heart sets in, evidenced by a censorious attitude.   

Thankfully, God’s grace helped me give a name to, repent of and ask forgiveness for and help with rejecting this subtle obstacle to ministry and personal integrity and effectiveness. God has also provided me with a devotional tool, Starting Your Day Right by Joyce Meyer, which says: “The devil sets us up so that we act ugly, throw fits [speak censoriously] and ruin our witness of what God has done in our lives” as well as what we believe God wants others to know and embrace about peace, peacemaking, justice and righteousness.

Meyer goes on to write: “The Holy Spirit will give you the power to walk in love everywhere you go. Don’t leave home without inviting him to fill you with the grace to demonstrate God’s love and compassion toward everyone you meet.”

I would add: without censoriousness.

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