One last, very practical subject: refuse criticism. Do not judge others, or you will be judged by God. Do not worry about the speck in your brother's eye, when there is a "plank" in your own. Jesus' word is dokos, the log upon which planks rested in a pier-and-beam kind of construction. This was the largest and strongest "plank" they knew.

Jesus tells us not to worry about the speck of dust in your brother's eye, when there is a telephone pole in our own. Take care of your own problem, and then you can see to help me with mine. Judge yourself before you judge anyone else, and you'll refuse criticism.

God's word is serious about this problem:

"Whoever slanders his neighbor in secret, him will I put to silence; whoever has haughty eyes and a proud heart, him will I not endure" (Psalm 101:5).

"There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known. What you have said in the dark will be heard in the daylight, and what you have whispered in the ear in the inner rooms will be proclaimed from the roofs" (Luke 12:2-3).

"If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight reign on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless" (James 1:26).

Have you noticed that we judge others by their actions, but ourselves by our intentions? To stop slandering and judging others, begin by examining yourself. A wise Bible teacher once taught me: there is no sin I cannot commit. Your sins may not be mine, but mine may not be yours. And I cannot see or judge your heart. There is always something I don't know about you, or you about me. Always.

Satan loves to attack from within, at unity. He is always looking for a Judas, for an Ananias and Sapphira. He knows that if we are busy attacking each other, we're no threat to him. We cannot assault the gates of hell if we are assaulting one another. That's why he loves slander and gossip so much. They cost Jesus his life. They cost us dearly today.

So refuse to criticize, and you'll relate biblically. This is the word and will of God.