Adolescents and teens tend to be hard on their peers, judging, prejudging, and engaging in what the King James referred to as “evil surmisings” (1 Tim. 6:4).  Adults can be no less so, leveling brutal criticisms against leaders, peers, and “underlings” alike.  What can motivate such harsh assumptions concerning others motives, words, and actions?

DEFLECTION.  Some feel that spotlighting others weaknesses inherently removes or diverts the spotlight from their own.

PROJECTION.  Some may think that because they are dishonorably, selfishly, or sinfully motivated, others must be as well.

REJECTION.  Some may feel harshly judged or inferior to others, and compensate through hypercriticism.

INFECTION.  Some feed on the hypercriticism of others, and are influenced thereby.

SATISFACTION.  Some enjoy feeding on the misfortunes and flaws of others and find hypercriticism becoming a habit that grows through practice.

Perhaps there are other motives for hypercriticism, but what would be one justifiable reason to engage in it?  It violates the law of love (1 Cor. 13:4-8), the spirit of the golden rule (Lk. 6:31), and the command to consider others above self (Phil. 2:3-4).  Let us be careful about our speech, especially when we would be inclined to criticize (cf. Col. 4:6; Mt. 12:36-37).

–Neal Pollard