Don’t Judge Others with Different Gifts than You
The wonderful thing about how God made us all creative is that each and every one of us expresses our creativity differently. From differences in our innate talents, differences in our creative journey and the skills we’ve picked up from that, to differences in ability levels, God has created and fostered each and every one of us uniquely. And that is beautiful! Each one of us as a specific role to play in the Kingdom and God has equipped us for it!
However, while God’s design for creative variations is good and wonderful, humanity’s fallen nature often turns that blessing into friction, jealousy, and judgement. Differences in talent levels, experience, “time in grade”, abilities, and available resources can all cause one creative to look at another negatively. Particularly, it’s easy for Christian creatives who are more highly skilled, more experienced, or more naturally talented to look down on those who they perceive as being less skilled or talented. Sometimes, too, one creative will look down on another with judgement because they have a less popular style or are working in a medium that is rarely used. Regardless of where the judgement is coming from, it is a problem.
Sometimes it’s little “harmless” comments that seem helpful; “if only she applied herself a bit more” or “wow…he really chose that color of blue to use…” Sometimes it’s an assessment of a person’s worth based on how they create; “he’s not good enough to match my skills, so he’s not worth talking to”. Sometimes it’s a lot more blunt; “her art is just terrible” or “I really hate the way he creates”.
Now, you might be asking: What if their art really is terrible?
An unbiased assessment of another creative’s projects with a mindset of encouragement and exhortation is a good thing, especially when they ask for it! God has put creatives together so that they can sharpen one another and build up the Kingdom of God. It is also perfectly fine to have your own opinions. We all have different aesthetic and stylistic preferences and not every brother or sister creative we meet is going to follow those very personal preferences. There is nothing wrong with that!
What is wrong is looking down from a pedestal and critiquing brothers or sisters in Christ by comparing them to oneself, not unbiased artistic standards, Scriptural truths (i.e. cautioning them against sin), or their own limitations.
God has not only gifted people with specific creative talents and built them up with specific skills and resources, but He has provided all of these things differently for each individual. A person’s worth in glorifying God is not how skilled they accomplish something, but whether or not they are walking in His ways and earnestly pursuing their craft for His glory.
So, the best way to keep from judging your creative brother or sister is this: keep yourself humble. Repent and understand that, without God’s provision, all of the creativity you have pride in would not only fall completely to pieces, but would also cease to exist. God made both you and your fellow creatives, and He has ultimate sovereignty over both!
Putting it into Action
Take some time this week and do some self-assessment. How highly do you value your own creative abilities and skills? Where does that rank when you see other creatives? How do you react when you perceive a creative is less skilled or talented than you are? Have you ever caught yourself becoming judgmental towards another creative because you didn’t think they were “good enough” in some way? While we all have those fleeting, intrusive thoughts and temptations, check to make sure there isn’t a systemic issue at play. Are you habitually putting down others or judging them based on YOUR assessment of their skills by comparing them to your own? Do you regularly look at a brother or sister’s creation and go “ew, gross, they’ll never be as good as I am/they’ll never meet the standard”? If the answer is yes to any of these things, then it is time to come to the Cross and repent. Ask God to help soften your heart towards your creative brother or sister and see their creations through His eyes. It might be that they are created exactly what He wants them to create, even if it doesn’t live up to your standards!
“Do not speak evil against one another, brothers. The one who speaks against a brother or judges his brother, speaks evil against the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge. There is only one lawgiver and judge, he who is able to save and to destroy. But who are you to judge your neighbor?”
“And as you wish that others would do to you, do so to them.”
