Responding to Critics
One thing that David did well most of the time was how he responded to his critics.(II Samuel 16:12) We can learn a lot from him in this area, and it is a very important part of our lives. How do you respond to criticism and the people who give it? If you do not respond well, it can damage your life and your relationships.
Sometimes, our critics are too harsh, but other times, they are too lenient. At times, they hurl curses at us like David received. We are tempted to lash out at them and to defend ourselves. That is where we must be careful. We can overreact. We can worry. We can hold a grudge against our critic. All of these things are destructive. If we react well, though, it will help us and others.
I believe we ought to receive the criticism without personally attacking the critic, because there probably is some truth to what is being said, and the Lord does not want us to retaliate against people. Then, we should respond as the Spirit leads us after taking time to pray. However, the one element that is vital is our dependence on God, instead of people. This is what David had. He knew that God saw his heart, and God knew the truth. Therefore, if the critic was too harsh or the criticism was not correct, God would make it right. He would reward him with good. In other words, no matter what people may say, God is the One who counts. If He is for us, who can be against us?
We must set our focus on pleasing the Lord, not people. Then, if people criticize us, we go to the Lord and ask Him to show us if we have sinned. If we have sinned in any way, we confess it and ask His forgiveness and the forgiveness of others. If we have not sinned, we can say so, but we should let God vindicate us for the most part. Remember, if you live a life of integrity, people will not readily believe false criticisms, and the Lord can and will show everyone the truth.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 18-21.
Sometimes, our critics are too harsh, but other times, they are too lenient. At times, they hurl curses at us like David received. We are tempted to lash out at them and to defend ourselves. That is where we must be careful. We can overreact. We can worry. We can hold a grudge against our critic. All of these things are destructive. If we react well, though, it will help us and others.
I believe we ought to receive the criticism without personally attacking the critic, because there probably is some truth to what is being said, and the Lord does not want us to retaliate against people. Then, we should respond as the Spirit leads us after taking time to pray. However, the one element that is vital is our dependence on God, instead of people. This is what David had. He knew that God saw his heart, and God knew the truth. Therefore, if the critic was too harsh or the criticism was not correct, God would make it right. He would reward him with good. In other words, no matter what people may say, God is the One who counts. If He is for us, who can be against us?
We must set our focus on pleasing the Lord, not people. Then, if people criticize us, we go to the Lord and ask Him to show us if we have sinned. If we have sinned in any way, we confess it and ask His forgiveness and the forgiveness of others. If we have not sinned, we can say so, but we should let God vindicate us for the most part. Remember, if you live a life of integrity, people will not readily believe false criticisms, and the Lord can and will show everyone the truth.
Tomorrow, I intend to read II Samuel 18-21.