July 2024 Blog Post: The Wisdom Gift of Critical Thinking Skill vs the Critical Spirit Counterfit
Greetings and Salutations, Friends!
I have recently began a home fellowship with a small group who meet not too many blocks from my retirement facility.
Lately, when meeting, I have been sharing Songs In The Night From Jesus that have come to me in dreams over the years.
“Barbecue For Jesus” and “Sometimes You Just Gotta Take A Long Walk” are two dream songs that I have recently shared. 
When I was praying one morning about a week ago, I asked the Lord if he would provide a short teaching that I could share at the group.
Although I am fully able to share longer teachings, especially at home fellowships, in honoring the scriptural mandate of First Corinthians chapter 14, I prefer to give only a short teaching so that others have time to share their gifts as well.
What seemed instantly to come to mind was, “What is the difference between the wisdom gift of Critical Thinking Skill and being under the influence of a critical spirit?”
One gift of wisdom is the skill of critical thinking. What is the difference between critical thinking, a gift of the Spirit, and a person influenced by a critical spirit?
Here are several good verses about wisdom. Prov 1:7, Proverbs 2:6, Proverbs 9:10. Prov 15:14, James 1:5, James 3:17, Col. 4:5,6
Have you ever heard the religious saying that every good gift from God has a spiritual counterfeit offered by the devil?
The wisdom gift of critical thinking skill is a good example.
Below I will offer several examples that may bring you discernment on the issue and help you see evidence around you of when the gift or the counterfeit is happening in your midst.
Please keep in mind that while this principle should generally be true, we must be open to the Holy Spirit to confirm or deny our observation.
That is to say, we must, through prayer and experience, allow Jesus to improve our discernment over time, as occasionally we may meet a brother or sister who is operating in the good gift and we may mistake it as that person being under the influence of a critical spirit.
A critical mind is filled with humility. A critical spirit is filled with pride.
A person with critical thinking skill can hear or read about a subject and they will notice when some fact or opinion has merit or is faulty.
Whether they read, watch a video or listen to some one talking with them they will see good points and bad points on an issue.
A person with a critical spirit is often filled with pride and just assumes that anyone who doesn’t hold the same view as them is foolish. They, even while calling themselves a Christian brother or sister, may justify and rationalize “their alleged right” to call brothers and sisters, idiots or stupid, when they disagree.
A person with critical thinking skill is often curious, and without getting upset, is willing to discuss an issue.
A person with a critical spirit is indifferent to facts and reasoning. Think of the old saying, “Don’t confuse me with the facts, I have already made up my mind.”
A person with critical thinking skill may be able to reason with others and show them a better way of understanding an issue.
A person with a critical spirit often causes disunity and will use intimidation, control, manipulate you with attempts to make you feel guilty and use mockery to force their opinion on another.
A person with critical thinking skill may often disagree with others, but because they are gentle and calm, they are able persuade others without being obnoxious or offensive.
A person with a critical spirit tends to be quick to anger and when they disagree with someone, tend to react emotionally, and display immature behavior, while trying to convert another person to their way of thinking.
A person with critical thinking skill is content with discussing an issue, but not bound to being always right.
A person with a critical spirit often has issues with pride and insecurity and is more concerned with not being embarrassed or wrong, than coming to the truth of an issue.
A person with critical thinking skill can be reasoned with and is open to having their mind changed, when a point is calmly and honestly proven.
A person with or under the influence of a critical spirit is often stubborn and resistant to change. If you show a person with a critical spirit, well-reasoned facts, rather than accept that correction, they usually just double-down on their “facts”and demand that they are right and you are wrong. They will often react with name calling, anger and sarcasm.
Brothers and sisters with God’s wisdom are motivated by wanting to know the truth. Those who are under the influence of a critical spirit, are much more concerned with proving themselves right, than coming to a wiser understanding.
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