One Sunday morning a pastor got up in the pulpit and apologized for the Band-Aid on his face. He said, “I was thinking about my sermon while shaving, and I cut my face.” Afterward he found a note in a collection plate, “Next time, think about your face and cut the sermon.” That critique of the pastor’s sermon may have been more painful than the cut on his face.
Nobody likes to be criticized, but it’s inevitable that we’ll receive some disapproval in this life. Here’s what the Bible says about how to deal with criticism:
First, realize some criticism can be disregarded because a person’s faithfulness will prove the harsh evaluation to be unfounded, and because only God can judge a person’s heart (1 Corinthians 4:2-5). Therefore, we don’t have to get upset or become defensive over what others say about us.
Second, deal with criticism by settling disputes. This normally means that the offending ones will soften their posture (Proverbs 15:1) and seek forgiveness (Matthew 18:15). This tends to diffuse the tension of the criticism. Next, understand that integrity is the best defense against any criticism (Daniel 6:4). Integrity doesn’t mean perfection, but it does mean wholeness and consistency of character.
Third, accept some criticism as constructive. Some criticism is designed to wound in order to change us for the better, help us face reality, and lead us to life (Psalm 141:5; Proverbs 10:17, 15:5, 27:6, 28:23). It can be just what we need to grow in spiritual maturity.
As believers in Jesus, we’re called to a life of humility, peace, and self-control. Our response to criticism and feedback reveals how much we’ve grown in Jesus’ wisdom. Let’s give the Holy Spirit maximum space so He can help us respond to criticism in a God-honoring way.
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Luke 12:22-48
More:
Read Titus 2:7-8 and discover some other defenses against criticism.
Next:
How do you typically respond when people criticize or give you negative feedback? What can you do to respond in a way that brings honor to God and reveals your humility?
roxanne robbins on August 6, 2012 at 5:05 pm
When a friend criticized me recently, I wrote a long email defending myself. Fortunately, I never hit “send” but called the friend instead. A conversation, helped me understand where she was coming from and lessened the sting of what I had considered a harsh criticism. Communication, in love, instead of fighting words truly help to diffuse situations.
Thanks for this post, Marvin, and the reminder that the Lord wants us to respond to criticism in ways that honor Him.
alli on August 10, 2012 at 1:11 pm
some one i know told me never to come see them if i was dressed the way i was, they said dont bother coming, i saw nothing wrong with it but it made me angry, i didnt go. how do you know when its founded or unfounded criticism. it says wounds of a friend can be trusted but what if they arent your friend? i guess GOd allowed it for a reason so.
moreofhimandlessofme on September 25, 2012 at 12:56 am
Do Not Worry
25 “Therefore I say to you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink; nor about your body, what you will put on. Is not life more than food and the body more than clothing? 26 Look at the birds of the air, for they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? 27 Which of you by worrying can add one cubit to his stature?
28 “So why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow: they neither toil nor spin; 29 and yet I say to you that even Solomon in all his glory was not arrayed like one of these. 30 Now if God so clothes the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will He not much more clothe you, O you of little faith?
31 “Therefore do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ 32 For after all these things the Gentiles seek. For your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. 33 But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you. 34 Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about its own things. Sufficient for the day is its own trouble.
moreofhimandlessofme on September 25, 2012 at 1:00 am
Mathew 6:25-34 New King James Version
tom felten on September 25, 2012 at 11:26 am
Great verses to share, moreofhimandlessofme! They help us focus on our Sovereign God and not the unwarranted criticism that can come from others. He alone knows our hearts and what our true motives have been. We don’t have to “worry” (Matthew 6:34), for God is for us and He will one day judge those who have wronged us.