Sunday School Lesson May 28, 2023

Subject: Avoiding a Critical Spirit

The Point: Guard your heart against criticizing others.

Scriptures: Numbers 12:1-15

Study The Bible: Numbers 12:1-3

1). Comparing yourself to others can lead to a critical spirit.

1. Miriam and Aaron criticized Moses because of the Cushite woman he married (for he had married a Cushite woman).
2. They said, “Does the Lord speak only through Moses? Does he not also speak through us?” And the Lord heard it.
3. Moses was a very humble man, more so than anyone on the face of the earth.

Lasting truths from: Numbers 12:1-3

*  The criticism of others is often founded on other issues.

* We should never be jealous when God’s call on someone else’s life is different than ours.

* The things we say, even in private, are heard and known by God (Ps. 139:4)

2). Criticism of others can be a form of questioning God’s work.

Numbers 12:4-9

4. Suddenly the Lord said to Moses, Aaron, and Miriam, “You three come out to the tent of meeting.” So the three of them went out.
5. Then the Lord descended in a pillar of cloud, stood at the entrance to the tent, and summoned Aaron and Miriam. When the two of them came forward,
6. he said: “Listen to what I say: ‘If there is a prophet among you from the Lord, I make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream.
7. Not so with my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my household.
8. I speak with him directly, openly, and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord.’ So why were you not afraid to speak against my servant Moses?”
9. The Lord’s anger burned against them, and he left.

Lasting truths from: Numbers 12:4-9

*  We will all give an account to God for the things we say and do (Rom. 14:12).

* God is sovereign in calling and interacting with His followers.

* The Lord is slow to anger, but we should never presume upon His grace (Nah. 1:3).

3). Confess acritical spirit and return to God.

Numbers 12;10-15

10. As the cloud moved away from the tent, Miriam’s skin suddenly became diseased, resembling snow. When Aaron turned toward her, he saw that she was diseased
11. and said to Moses, “My lord, please don’t hold against us this sin we have so foolishly committed.
12. Please don’t let her be like a dead baby whose flesh is half eaten away when he comes out of his mother’s womb.”
13. Then Moses cried out to the Lord, “God, please heal her!”
14. The Lord answered Moses, “If her father had merely spit in her face, wouldn’t she remain in disgrace for seven days? Let her be confined outside the camp for seven days; after that she may be brought back in.”
15. So Miriam was confined outside the camp for seven days, and the people did not move on until Miriam was brought back in.

Lasting truth from:  Numbers 12:10-15

* We must have compassion and exercise forgiveness toward those who have wronged us (Matt. 6:14-15).

*  We must be willing to pray for those who have mistreated us (Luke 6:28).

* Our sin has consequences for others as well as ourselves.

Live It Out

As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:

1. How do you guard your heart to keep from becoming critical of others in ministry settings?
2. What should you do if you have developed a critical spirit?
3. How should you respond when others are critical of you?

Closing Prayer:

“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”