We don’t like to be
criticized. We don’t like it when
someone points out to us our faults and failures. We like to think of ourselves as too good to
be criticized. We want others to see us
in our strengths and not our weaknesses.
We take pride in ourselves and take it as a personal attack when someone
criticizes us.
What we need to remind
ourselves of is that criticism is not all bad for us. It is good to know what others see in us that
is wrong. Otherwise, how can we know
what we need to fix? We know we are far
from being who we could or should be, so knowing what we need to work on is
good for us.
Now granted, attitude
is everything when criticisms are given.
If it is done in love with the intent of helping, then it should be
welcomed with open arms. We need help in
order to grow into godliness. We need to
spur one another on in faith. We need
others to help us because sinful pride often keeps us from seeing ourselves as
we should. If it is not done in love and
received in love, criticism will create harsh feelings and a resistance to
change.
Criticism should be
handled with humility and thankfulness.
Thank the Lord for those who love us enough to help us improve our lives
before Him. Accept graciously what
others are saying and ask the Lord to help you to do better.
And when it becomes
necessary for you to do the criticizing, do it in love and with much
grace. Ask the Lord to check your
attitude to be sure you don’t do it with maliciousness. Ask Him for proper words and the proper
timing. Let the Lord guide you so that
in all you say you will edify the other person to the glory and honor of His
name.
Criticism is an
essential part of healthy spiritual growth.
No one gets it right all the time.
We need to know how others perceive our walk with the Lord. Not being open to criticism hardens the soul
and prevents the Lord from helping us to become holy and acceptable in His
sight.
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