You shall not render an unjust judgment; you shall not be partial to the poor or defer to the great: with justice you shall judge your neighbor. You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not profit by the blood of your neighbor: I am the LORD.

You shall not hate in your heart anyone of your kin; you shall reprove your neighbor, or you will incur guilt yourself. You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge against any of your people, but you shall love your neighbor as yourself: I am the LORD.

Leviticus 19:15-18

It is difficult to know when to criticize. Your motives must be above criticism, or you too can be criticized. Ask yourself three questions: Are you really motivated by a desire to help the other person; Are you planning to face the person gently and with honesty; Are you criticizing the person for the LORD, or because you enjoy being critical? If your goal is to help, if your motives are loving, and if your desire is to please God, then go ahead and criticize. If you can’t pass these three tests, keep quiet.

He has the right to criticize who has the heart to help.

Our Daily Bread – February 16, 2004