Dealing With Criticism
Categories: Church of Christ Bulletin ArticlesIn our world, no one is able to entirely escape criticism. And often times, our careers, emotional stability, and even our very happiness depend upon how we react to it. Criticism should be viewed in a positive way, for it gives us the opportunity for growth. If we are to grow from criticism, we must be able to face it on three levels.
1) The emotional level — We must not take criticism in a personal way — as a personal attack, but see criticism as simply a “tool” for self-improvement. This is undeniably difficult to do, but it can be done if we apply ourselves.
2) The rational level — We must be able to take the criticism and examine it objectively. Is the criticism valid? As someone once said, “We learn much from the disagreeable things people say, for they make us think; whereas the good things only make us glad.”
3) The practical level — Have we ever considered trying to help our critics? Remember, the Bible enjoins us to return good for evil. And this is not some kind of pious nonsense; kindness truly is stronger than malice. Note the words of the apostle Paul:
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, ‘Vengeance is mine, I will repay,’ says the Lord. But if your enemy is hungry, feed him, and if he is thirsty, give him a drink; for in so doing you will heap burning coals on his head. Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good” (Romans 12:19-21 NASB).
Our reaction to criticism should be to do the right thing in spite of what is said about us or to us. We should profit by it and grow, and we should strive to live so that the critic’s words will not be justified. We read in Titus 2:7-8 NASB:
“In all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say about us.“
The person who pays too much attention to the faults of other people and the defects of the world around him, will eventually find his own personality in a degenerate state. A chronic fault-finder becomes a grumbler, then a growler, and finally a cynic. And we know that a cynic is of no real value to anyone.
Every elder, deacon, preacher, teacher, or any member of the Lord’s church, who is continually open to the criticism of others, should remember the wise words of Abraham Lincoln who once said:
“If I tried to read, much less answer, all the criticisms made of me and all the attacks against me, this office would be closed for all other business. I do the best I know how, the very best I can. I mean to keep on doing this down to the very end. If the end brings me out all right, then what is said against me now will not amount to anything.“
These are wise words indeed. In this regard, we should also consider Paul’s words recorded in 1 Corinthians 4:3-4 NASB:
“To me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord.“
Human judgment always has been and always will be a fallible thing. Even if a man approves of himself, it is not an indication that the Lord will. The important thing is to have the Lord’s approval (2 Corinthians 10:17-18).
The story is told of two taxidermists who stopped in front of a window where an owl was on display. Upon seeing it, the two men immediately began to criticize the mounting. They both agreed that its eyes were not natural in appearance, its wings were not in proportion, its head and features were not neatly arranged, and its feet could certainly be improved upon. When they had finally come to the end of their numerous criticisms, the owl winked at them!
May we grow from the criticism we receive so that ultimately we might exemplify the words of 1 Peter 2:15 NASB:
“For such is the will of God that by doing right you may silence the ignorance of foolish men.“