WWJD By Dr. Richard Youngblood
Question: Perhaps I’m overly-sensitive,
but I do not handle criticism well. How
would Jesus deal with criticism?
Unfortunately, criticism is
an inevitable part of life in our fallen world.
Since we all have a need to pray, “Forgive us our sins” (Luke 11:4), we are not undeserving of at least some
criticism. However, not
all criticism is justified nor offered in an appropriate manner. Our challenge is to distinguish between
constructive criticism and harsh, unjustified criticism and to find ways to benefit from
the experience of either kind.
Your sensitivity can be a
benefit in dealing with both constructive and harsh criticism if you will not
allow yourself to become overly-defensive.
“A fool shows his annoyance at once,” said the wise man,
“but a prudent man overlooks an insult” (Proverbs 12:16). A hard-hearted person
usually feels overly-confident in his own wisdom and is insensitive to any
beneficial words from others. Proverbs 12:15 says, “The way of a fool seems right to
him, but a wise man listens to advice.” A person who is deeply concerned about
what is right should have the sensitivity to listen
and weigh any words of criticism to see if he/she can learn something from them,
even though they come from an enemy.
Since
criticism can sometimes be the result of misinformation and is unjustified, you
need to examine all criticism in order to distinguish what is valid from what
is not. Sometimes misinformation is
spread by people who may be trying to hurt you.
When this happens, you do not need to worry because one who slanders
another person’s good name will reap what he has sown (Proverbs 10:13). Scripture reminds us, “Do not take revenge,
my friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to
avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord” (Romans
12:19-21). Although you would be justified
in an effort to correct any misinformation, your best response to slanderous
criticism often is to rise above it. People
around you will be able to recognize the truth as lived out in your daily
manner of life. Jesus taught that just
as a tree is known by its fruit, our real character is revealed in the fruit of
our lives (Matthew 7:16-20).
Even when the criticism is evil and harsh, do not
allow it to keep you from pressing forward with any good work you are
doing. The Psalmist said, “Do not
fret because of evil men or be envious of those who do wrong” (Psalm 37:1).
Refuse to let evil critics control your time, thoughts or deeds. Do all the good you can for all the people
you can whenever you can. Yes, even do good for your
harshest of critics (Matthew 5:44ff). Learn
from the example of Nehemiah who refused to stop rebuilding the walls of
Jerusalem to respond to his critics. He
sent a messenger to them, saying: “I am carrying on a great project and
cannot go down. Why should the work stop while I leave it and go down to you?”
(Nehemiah 6:3). To allow your unjust critics to distract you often
gives more credibility to their accusations than they deserve.
Finally, do not allow any pride or personal
sensitivity to keep you from benefiting from wise and constructive criticism. The wise man of the Proverbs said, “Better
is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds
from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses” (Proverbs 27:5-6). Be thankful for a friend who tells you what you
need to hear even if he offers criticism you do not find pleasant to receive. “Pride only breeds quarrels, but
wisdom is found in those who take advice” (Proverbs 13:10).
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