By Danny Minton

As I sat down to write this, I realized that, in a way, I do exactly what I’m saying we should be cautious about, but I do plan to refine my life to match the statement at the end of this article. It’s like looking in a mirror and seeing something about yourself that you see in so many others. So, I thought, what do I need to do when I walk away from the mirror, the one that looks deeper within me and my heart? I don’t want to be like the person James describes. “For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.”  James 1:23-24 (NASB) In other words, I’m telling myself that I need to “practice what I preach.” 

It seems that in the world we live in today, criticism has become more evident in society than I can remember. People seem to be critical of everything going on and are not afraid to voice their opinions publicly, even if it promotes hate and stirs up negativity in others. 

There are two definitions for critics that are the most common. The first are professional critics who make their living “judging the merits of literary, artistic, or musical works, and film.” There is even one online with my name. However, if you are like me, you don’t always agree with their judgments in these areas. As hard as they may try, it’s impossible not to let personal bias creep into how they view things. These types of critics usually don’t cause disruption unless the creator of the work and those around them become upset, especially if their words result in financial loss or personal harm. As for most of us, if we like a movie, for example, we’ll watch it even if the critic says it’s a dud!

However, it’s the other type of critic that has the potential to create a world of hate, dislike, and discontent. The definition I found describes a critic as “a person  who expresses an unfavorable opinion of something.” There is a distinction between offering an opinion and being overly critical of someone or something in a hateful manner. We all have opinions on various subjects. My wife and I have different views on some of the foods I like. I like liver and onions, beets, green olives, black jellybeans, and even peanut butter on my waffles. She, on the other hand, likes none of these. It doesn’t put up any barrier between us. If she doesn’t like them, she doesn’t eat them.

In some cases, people may even argue about their opinions, but can eventually accept each other’s opinion and walk away still friends. There was a lady in one of my classes who was a Philadelphia Eagles fan. I, of course, am a Dallas Cowboys fan and have been since Eddie LeBaron was the quarterback. We had a good time ribbing each other over our opinions, but always remained friends.

Over the many decades, many things we hear under the guise of “opinions” are more like negative comments attacking people or even just finding fault with what others say or do. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, the US began rounding up the Japanese citizens and relocating them to internment camps. There was hate and criticism, not for what they had done, but because of who they were. I think I first started noticing it when John Kennedy became president. Before he even took the oath of office, people had already formed an opinion of him and were ready to criticize him. Mostly negative around the adults in my life, but most kids listened and followed their parents’ views. Today, I read people’s comments about things on Facebook. There can be a good story with a great point, but it never fails that someone will pop up with negative criticism. A word is misspelled, and the “Grammar Police” spend more time on that than on taking in the thoughts. The younger generation criticizes the older generations. The older generations criticize the younger ones. Sometimes, opinions are taken as criticism, and people respond with anger and even violence. 

One of the problems we face is our tendency to overlook the good in people. In fact, many people not only fail to look, but also refuse to look for the good. They are so consumed by hate or dislike that they don’t want to change. Whether you agree with me or not, I think there is some good in everybody. The key is how to tap into that side of people. How can we bring out the good side of those we don’t like? Where do we start?

The answer is simple. Go and stand in front of your bathroom mirror. The place to start to make the world a better place is with the person you see in front of you as you stand there. We cannot make things better until we are not part of the problem. That’s what Jesus taught throughout His life on this planet. “Do to others as you’d have them do to you.” “But I say to you, hear, love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you.” “Love your enemies, and do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return, and your reward will be great.” “Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.” “A new commandment I give you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you are to love one another.”

We can make the world a better place by simply not being part of the problem. If we all follow David’s thoughts, it will make life better for us and those around us. Maybe, just maybe, it will help change the world. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my Redeemer.” Psalm 19:14

Danny Minton is a former Elder and minister at Southern Hills Church of Christ