It’s amazing how easy it is to tear something down as opposed to building something. Recently, my father-in-law and I broke down a large, wooden swing set in about 30 minutes. When my dad, my father-in-law and I originally put it together, it took the better part of 6 hours. It came down a lot easier than it went up.

In Romans 15:1-2, Paul says, “We who are strong have an obligation to bear with the failings of the weak, and not to please ourselves. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.” Christians are to be in the business of building one another up. It’s not a simple process; moreover, it takes a considerable amount of time and effort. But it’s essential to who we are and is a part of our born anew by Jesus’ blood genetic make-up.

Criticism, though, comes much easier to us. It’s not introspective; therefore, it allows us to play judge and jury without compunction. Criticism is destructive and with ease it can bring a person down like a stone from the sling of a Israelite shepherd boy.

Inevitably, today or tomorrow or the next day, you are going be in a position to either build a person up who needs it or tear a person down who doesn’t need it. Please choose the former and not the latter! It’s what God would have you to do.