Watching a lot of legal, criminal discovery, police and research programs I’ve come to appreciate the precision with which certain discovery activities are conducted. A conclusion cannot be arrived at without careful attention to details and analysis of only those details before arriving at tentative assumptions. Even then that is often not enough for a firm conclusion.
The average person, however, who is over taken with desires to criticize and analyze rarely is so attentive to details and evidence. They hear their neighbors TV on for 3 hours and assume it is being watched for 3 hours. Actually, the person is having it on for background while on the computer. Or, they fell asleep for 2 hours and woke up and watched the last hour before going to bed. Or they forgot it was on while they were in another room doing something else.
A person who is prone to negativity is the most unreliable person to analyze pretty much anything. Their world view glasses are colored negative and critical. This is one reason why Scripture tells us in general to think on the positive and the things of good report. For the average person who isn’t a crime analyzer, this will keep them out of trouble, and from making false assumptions.
Instead of spending time being a critic, our words and assumptions could be better spent trying to positively encourage and support others toward becoming all they can be in Christ.
Phil. 4: 8 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
Thank you for these words of wisdom. There is so much negativity today that it just infiltrates our spirits if we're not careful. Blessings to you for you work!
Posted by: Victorious | Oct 22, 2011 at 05:20 AM
Thank you Victorious. It's all living and learning. But we must have our ears tuned to hear what the Spirit is saying in our lives.
Posted by: TL | Oct 22, 2011 at 11:12 AM