How Do You Handle Criticism?

How Do You Handle Criticism?

Humble yourselves under the mighty power of God, and at the right time he will lift you up in honor.

1 Peter 5:6

When Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong.

Galatians 2:11

Whoever learns from correction is wise. . . . If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise.

PROVERB 15:5, 31

What do you do when someone criticizes or corrects you? Do you go with your first instinct to defend your actions or opinions? Do you criticize the other person in return? Do you point out the flaw in the other person’s argument or the way it was presented? Or do you listen to it, evaluate it, and learn from it?

Nobody likes to be criticized or corrected. There’s a sting to it. But if we quickly dismiss a correction or argue with it, we miss out on an opportunity to learn from what our critics have the courage to say.

As sinful humans, we have an amazing ability to convince ourselves of our own rightness and to justify what we know isn’t right. But others can often see what we don’t. We can be blind to our own sin, oblivious to our real motives, and unaware of how we might be hurting others. But other people can sometimes see the situation more clearly. And the truth is, sometimes we react most fiercely when we know deep down that they’re right. Sometimes the truth hurts, and it’s less painful to blame the person who points it out than face the reality of our own sin and failure.

Criticism delivered in a loving manner is a gift to us. But even criticism delivered with the wrong motives in the worst of ways can be a gift too, depending on how we respond to it. So when we’re criticized, we should consider it carefully, looking for the truth that needs to be faced and rejecting the untruth that needs to be dismissed. We learn from it, and then we let it go.

DISCUSSION STARTERS

What does it feel like when someone criticizes you?

How can a person receive and respond to criticism with humility?

How can someone’s criticism be a gift from God?