Beating Criticism – Winning The Critical Battle

At some place in our lives, every believer, in fact every individual has to deal with disapproval or criticism. You may perhaps feel as though you have been placed on a spinning sword-wheel and everyone is taking turns throwing the knives at you.

But here’s a simple question – Why do people feel they need to condemn or criticize others? Many individuals criticize for the reason that they feel a loss of control. They would more willingly do a task incorrectly than to do it someone else’s way…so they find someone else to blame or make look bad.

In Neh:4, we read that Nehamiah has taken on the assignnment of rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem. As soon as Sanballet heard this, he at once began criticizing. “Tobiah the Ammonite, who was at his side, said, “What they are building–if even a fox climbed up on it, he would break down their wall of stones!” (NEH 4:3)

A fox climbing up on walls of stone would destroy them? C’mon, how pathetic and observation! But how do you feel when you are criticized? Do you become angry? depressed? do you feel betrayed? Not everyone feels the same way, but the real test is in how you choose to respond. Some lose their temper, some engage in voilence; but what is your response?

Proverbs 15:1 says, “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” This is a great principle that is often ignored many time by most of us in these tight situations. How you respond to criticism tells more about you than the critic. Sometimes it helps to look beyond the surface of the criticism and begin considering the possible influences that could be causing this person to behave this way towards you.

Unless you own your own business, you probably have had to deal with bosses at your job. While some are fair and reasonable, some seem to relish in ridicule and criticism. Have you ever considered why?

Perhaps they are feeling pressure from the top. Or maybe their personal lives are falling apart. Many times, the pursuit of advancement overcomes them and allows Satan to influence their behavior.

It is possible that they need your prayers instead of your anger. At the very least, you can help defuse a situation with a gentle answer instead of harsh words.

But what if the roles are reversed? Instead of being criticized, many of us become the critic, often without even realizing it.

In Matthew 27, when Jesus was brought before Pilate for judgment, he washed his hands of the responsibility because he found no evidence to convict Jesus (Matt 27:24). Yet Jesus was crucified anyway based on hearsay and false testimony.

Every human is a creation of God and deserves to be treated fairly. Before you spread that rumor criticizing someone, check out the facts first. Without doing so, you become no better than the ones who crucified Jesus.

Dealing with criticism is a two way street. Do not get caught going the wrong way.