--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: If you are against yourself, you will…" description: "\"If you are against yourself, you will never reach your highest potential. And when you criticize yourself, you're criticizing God.\" — Joel Osteen" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/joel-osteen-194_criticize_if-you-are-against-yourself-you-will-nev_455470.jpg" --- # If you are against yourself, you will never reach your… ![“If you are against yourself, you will never reach your highest potential. And when you criticize yourself, you're criticizing God.” quote by Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/joel-osteen-194_criticize_if-you-are-against-yourself-you-will-nev_455470.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/joel-osteen-194_criticize_if-you-are-against-yourself-you-will-nev_455470.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bb3/joel-osteen-194_criticize_if-you-are-against-yourself-you-will-nev_455470.jpg) > “If you are against yourself, you will never reach your highest potential. And when you criticize yourself, you're criticizing God.” [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Self‑criticism limits growth; recognizing divine worth lifts potential. **In simple terms:** Self‑criticism blocks potential. Key Takeaway Practice self‑compassion. Themes self‑growth faith potential Mood inspirational hopeful Type motivational spiritual When to use this quote - personal development - spiritual practice - coaching Key Concepts theology psychology Questions to Reflect On - What inner critic holds you back? - How can faith guide self‑acceptance? A Different Perspective Excessive positivity can ignore real issues. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [God](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/god/) ## Related quotes > [Today, decide not to speak negatively about yourself. When you criticize yourself, you are criticizing God’s very own creation.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/today-decide-not-to-speak-negatively-about-yourself-when-you/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [“1–2. Job speaks. At the conclusion of the epilogue, we heard that Job sat in silence with his three friends for seven days. The…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tremper-longman-iii/1-2-job-speaks-at-the-conclusion-of-the-epilogue-we-heard-that-job/) [Tremper Longman III](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tremper-longman-iii/) > [Happiness is lost by criticizing it; sorrow by accepting it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ambrose-bierce/happiness-is-lost-by-criticizing-it-sorrow-by-accepting-it/) [Ambrose Bierce](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ambrose-bierce/) > [ People sometimes ask me, "You're still in a primary - why are you criticizing \[Donald\] Trump?" It's because I don't want what he's saying… ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/hillary-clinton/people-sometimes-ask-me-you-re-still-in-a-primary-why-are-you/) [Hillary Clinton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/hillary-clinton/) > [Loving the self, to me, begins with never ever criticizing ourselves for anything. Criticism locks us into the very pattern we are trying to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/loving-the-self-to-me-begins-with-never-ever-criticizing-ourselves/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Criticism does not make you smarter or better than the one you are criticizing. In fact, the stuff you are critical of in others…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/iyanla-vanzant/criticism-does-not-make-you-smarter-or-better-than-the-one-you-are/) [Iyanla Vanzant](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/iyanla-vanzant/) > [If you shut yourself up disdainfully in your ivory tower and insist that you have your own conscience and are satisfied with its approval,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/luigi-pirandello/if-you-shut-yourself-up-disdainfully-in-your-ivory-tower-and-insist/) [Luigi Pirandello](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/luigi-pirandello/) > [I want to avoid sounding like I'm criticizing because I don't have all the facts in front of me yet. And I am trying…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/keith-ellison/i-want-to-avoid-sounding-like-i-m-criticizing-because-i-don-t-have/) [Keith Ellison](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/keith-ellison/) > [Criticizing Israel is not anti-Semitic, and saying so is vile. But singling out Israel for opprobrium and international sanction out of all proportion to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/criticizing-israel-is-not-anti-semitic-and-saying-so-is-vile-but/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [People who are criticizing... don't really get it, because if they did, they would like it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/gwyneth-paltrow/people-who-are-criticizing-don-t-really-get-it-because-if-they-did/) [Gwyneth Paltrow](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/gwyneth-paltrow/) > [Criticizing reporters is like boo-ing at the Special Olympics.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/michael-jackson/criticizing-reporters-is-like-boo-ing-at-the-special-olympics/) [Michael Jackson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/michael-jackson/) > [Never criticize someone you never personally knew. For in time, you might find yourself to be in a much worse situation than the one…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jazz-ramirez/never-criticize-someone-you-never-personally-knew-for-in-time-you/) [Jazz Ramirez](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jazz-ramirez/) > [I've often been accused of spending more time and energy criticizing my fellow Democrats than criticizing Republicans.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mickey-kaus/i-ve-often-been-accused-of-spending-more-time-and-energy-criticizing/) [Mickey Kaus](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mickey-kaus/) > [I feel that the task of criticizing my poetry is best left to others (i.e. critics) and would much rather have it take place…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/margaret-atwood/i-feel-that-the-task-of-criticizing-my-poetry-is-best-left-to-others/) [Margaret Atwood](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/margaret-atwood/) > [When I passed the Chancellor he arose, waved his hand at me, and I waved back at him. I think the writers showed bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/when-i-passed-the-chancellor-he-arose-waved-his-hand-at-me-and-i/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) ## More by Joel Osteen > [Resist discouragement by speaking His Word over your future. Keep standing. Keep hoping; keep believing because He is working behind the scenes. He's going…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/resist-discouragement-by-speaking-his-word-over-your-future-keep/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I don't have to figure out how God is going to solve my problem. I don't have to understand how He's going to bring…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-don-t-have-to-figure-out-how-god-is-going-to-solve-my-problem-i-don/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [The only difference between black coal and a precious diamond is the amount of pressure it endured.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/the-only-difference-between-black-coal-and-a-precious-diamond-is-the/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Faith is easy; I think people complicate it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/faith-is-easy-i-think-people-complicate-it/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [There's pros and cons of a big church. Cons is I don't get to know everybody, I don't get to go to their ballgame,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/there-s-pros-and-cons-of-a-big-church-cons-is-i-don-t-get-to-know/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [When you smile and project an aura of warmth, kindness, and friendliness, you will attract warms, kindness, and friendliness. Happy people will be drawn…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/when-you-smile-and-project-an-aura-of-warmth-kindness-and/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [You were never created to live depressed, defeated, guilty, condemned, ashamed or unworthy. You were created to be victorious.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/you-were-never-created-to-live-depressed-defeated-guilty-condemned/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [You may not have the approval of someone 'important,' but you have the favor of God.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/you-may-not-have-the-approval-of-someone-important-but-you-have-the/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [“In the Bible, God called Gideon a mighty man of (fearless) courage. Gideon looked around and said, “Who’s He talking to? That’s not me.”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/in-the-bible-god-called-gideon-a-mighty-man-of-fearless-courage/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [At the start of each new day, remind yourself: I am talented. I am creative. I am greatly favored by God. I am equipped.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/at-the-start-of-each-new-day-remind-yourself-i-am-talented-i-am/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [Don't be intimidated by the size of your problem or the size of your dream. God will see to it that it is finished…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/don-t-be-intimidated-by-the-size-of-your-problem-or-the-size-of-your/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [No matter what's happening, choose to be happy. Don't focus on what's wrong. Find something positive in your life. Thank God for the small…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/no-matter-what-s-happening-choose-to-be-happy-don-t-focus-on-what-s/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I deal with more practical issues of the Bible.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-deal-with-more-practical-issues-of-the-bible/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [I've learned a simple principle: all I have to do is be the best 'me' that I can be. One day when I read…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/i-ve-learned-a-simple-principle-all-i-have-to-do-is-be-the-best-me/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) > [“Too often we don’t realize how great we have it until something is taken away.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/joel-osteen/too-often-we-don-t-realize-how-great-we-have-it-until-something-is/) [Joel Osteen](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) [Explore all 960 Joel Osteen quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/joel-osteen/) ## More Criticize quotes > [When I passed the Chancellor he arose, waved his hand at me, and I waved back at him. I think the writers showed bad…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jesse-owens/when-i-passed-the-chancellor-he-arose-waved-his-hand-at-me-and-i/) [Jesse Owens](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jesse-owens/) > [Lavish praise on people and people will flourish; criticize people and they'll shrivel up.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-branson/lavish-praise-on-people-and-people-will-flourish-criticize-people-and/) [Richard Branson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-branson/) > [If you are well-mannered towards those whose views are similar to yours, you may be said to exhibit a fairly good character. But, if…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/if-you-are-well-mannered-towards-those-whose-views-are-similar-to/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [For some reason, we are truly convinced that if we criticize ourselves, the criticism will lead to change. If we are harsh, we believe…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/geneen-roth/for-some-reason-we-are-truly-convinced-that-if-we-criticize-ourselves/) [Geneen Roth](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/geneen-roth/) > [You can criticize Trump and his wealth all day long, but you can't say he hasn't worked. You can say that about the Clintons.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/rush-limbaugh/you-can-criticize-trump-and-his-wealth-all-day-long-but-you-can-t-say/) [Rush Limbaugh](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/rush-limbaugh/) > [If our aim is to praise, we should forget to criticize; if our aim is to criticize, we should remember to praise](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/samuel-johnson/if-our-aim-is-to-praise-we-should-forget-to-criticize-if-our-aim-is/) [Samuel Johnson](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/samuel-johnson/) > [Those who lack the confidence and esteem to make the decisions that they need to make for themselves, are usually the same ones who…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/those-who-lack-the-confidence-and-esteem-to-make-the-decisions-that/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [The privilege of prayer to me is one of the most cherished possessions, because faith and experience alike convince me that God himself sees…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/wilfred-grenfell/the-privilege-of-prayer-to-me-is-one-of-the-most-cherished/) [Wilfred Grenfell](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/wilfred-grenfell/) > [We are all too keenly aware that those of you who supported us by purchasing the 3DS in the beginningmay feel betrayed and criticize…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/satoru-iwata/we-are-all-too-keenly-aware-that-those-of-you-who-supported-us-by/) [Satoru Iwata](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/satoru-iwata/) > [Woody Allen is a genius. His films are wonderful. He's poetic, but he's also a critic. He artfully steps back from a social setting…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mel-brooks/woody-allen-is-a-genius-his-films-are-wonderful-he-s-poetic-but-he-s/) [Mel Brooks](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mel-brooks/) > [Men can be divided into 2 groups: one that goes ahead and achieves something, and one that comes after and criticizes.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seneca-the-younger/men-can-be-divided-into-2-groups-one-that-goes-ahead-and-achieves/) [Seneca the Younger](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seneca-the-younger/) > [If you don't allow people to contribute, to offer their point of view, or to criticize what has been put before them, then they…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nelson-mandela/if-you-don-t-allow-people-to-contribute-to-offer-their-point-of-view/) [Nelson Mandela](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nelson-mandela/) > [There's plenty to criticize about the mass media, but they are the source of regular information about a wide range of topics. You can't…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/noam-chomsky/there-s-plenty-to-criticize-about-the-mass-media-but-they-are-the/) [Noam Chomsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/noam-chomsky/) > [When we criticize in Iran the actions of the government, the fundamentalists say that we and the Bush Administration are in the same camp.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/shirin-ebadi/when-we-criticize-in-iran-the-actions-of-the-government-the/) [Shirin Ebadi](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/shirin-ebadi/) > [When I first prepared this particular talk... I realized that my usual approach is usually critical. That is, a lot of the things that…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/alan-kay/when-i-first-prepared-this-particular-talk-i-realized-that-my-usual/) [Alan Kay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/alan-kay/) Browse all 1,182 Criticize quotes ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "If you are against yourself, you will never reach your highest potential. 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