Devotions

Critic’s Everywhere

While sitting in a barber’s chair a salesman mentioned he was excited about an upcoming trip to Rome.  The barber was Italian and a very critical man.  He said you’ll be disappointed, Rome is overrated, the service in hotels is terrible – the airlines have all kinds of trouble – you better stay home.  The salesman insisted he was going and not only that he was going to meet the Pope.  The barber huffed and said your dreaming, no one gets to mee the pope.  Two months later he’s back in the barber shop and the barber says so how was the trip.  The salesman said it was great, flight was smooth, service in the hotel was awesome and I got to meet the pope.  The barber said come one – what would the Pope have to say to you – the salesman said the Pope said – that is the worst looking haircut I have ever seen in all my life.

The Apostle Paul is one who ran into criticism on a regular basis.  It’s revealing what he wrote in 2 Corinthians 2:10

  • 2 Corrinthians 2:10 – For some say, his letters are weighty and forceful, but in person he is unimpressive and his speaking amounts to nothing.

Wow !   Could you say anything more hurtful to a preacher than your speaking amounts to nothing?  Now of course there is such a thing as constructive criticism.  Sometimes a loved one or friend criticizes us to encourage us to better ourselves or guide us away from sin.  Constructive criticism builds you up – it’s construction.  We need people in our life to say from time to time, I love ya, but that doesn’t look good on you.  My dad would often say – they either need a friend or a mirror.   Well the Bible gives some sound advice when it comes to dealing with criticism.

  • Accept criticism as normal – inevitable part of life, anticipate it
  • Refuse to fight with worldly weapons – retaliation is not Christlike behavior
  • Respond only when necessary – 95 % of all criticism should be ignored
  • Be confident the truth will prevail – stand for truth and believe in the end the truth will stand
  • Remember it’s God’s opinion that truly counts

Marks Sig