Criticism
February 13, 2000
Dear Friends:
In Matthew 7:1 we read “Do not judge, or you too will be judged.” (NIV) In simple language, Jesus means for people not to be too harsh in the assessment of others and to be willing to forgive. Our flesh compels us to rationalize the faults we have while holding a stricter measure to others. In verse 3, Jesus follows this up by saying “And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye?”
The principle seems to be that if we do are harsh in our judgment of others, it will not fare well for us when we stand before Christ. “For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.” (7:2)
Do a little experiment. Hold up piece of blank paper and ask someone what they see More times than not, you will be told that they see a piece of paper. Next, hold up a piece of paper with a small dot on it and repeat the same question. This time, however, people will respond that they see a dot. The focus of people’s attention leaves the paper and turns to the small dot.
Is this not what the Pharisees did with Christ? Here comes a man healing and teaching wonderful things, but all they saw were what they perceived as shortcomings. They didn’t see the wonderful healing he did, they saw that it was on the Sabbath.
Trying another experiment. Read all 176 verses in Psalms 119 to an audience and grossly mispronounce one word. Afterward, ask people what they remember of your reading of Psalm 119. Odds are you won’t even have to ask, they will be lined up to tell you.
We are naturally unable to see our own faults in a proper perspective. Either we minimize them in a self-justifying manner or we overstate them in the process of unrealistic expectations. Proper self examination is one of the hardest things God asks us to do. Perhaps that is why God provided so much help when He made others so good at seeing our faults.
Ironically, you would think it would be in our best interest to ask people what our faults are since we will be judged for them. We would then logically expect people to welcome criticism. However, the man who welcomes criticism is a rare commodity indeed. A man once said “Nobody wants constructive criticism. It’s all we can do to put up with constructive praise.”
The real question we spend our time on is whether or not the criticism is valid. We spend as much time evaluating the critic as we do the criticism. As an alternative, try thanking everyone who criticizes you. It will serve several purposes. First, it will let people know you that you are not above reproach. Second, it will encourage more honest discussion on how to serve God. Third, it will help to put “hot coals” on the head of anyone who was not offering sincere and helpful criticism.
The immediate reaction of criticism is naturally self defense, denial or rebuttal or even worse, to play “let’s share.” “Let’s share” means you shared one of my faults, now let us look at one of yours.
Among the best advice we can give to anyone on receiving criticism is if the criticism about you is true, mend your ways! If it isn’t, forget about it!
“Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” (Prov. 27:5,6)
Criticism is an opportunity to improve in our service to God. Let us be thankful for the abundant opportunities provided for us to improve!
Have a great week!
Comments»
No comments yet.