Never Mind the Criticism!

"I cannot come down." Ne 6:3 NKJV

I can remember a time in my life when the slightest of criticism could become a real speed bump in my efforts to do what I knew God had instructed me to do. 

Today I realize that criticism is often the reinforcement for our forward movement. The scripture says in Luke 6:26  "beware when all men speak well of you".  The Message translation says: "It is trouble ahead when you live only for the approval of others.  Our task is to be true, not popular!

When we are moving in obedience to God; it does not mean that we will move forward with no opposition and 100% validation.  Often times the real attack is the same deception that showed up in the Garden of Eden - "has God said?"  The real goal of this question is to keep us double minded and rethinking our obedience.  It is important to stand with all diligence on what God has instructed; therefore it is important to be clear on his instruction; so that you can continue standing during both criticism and opposition. 

I think it is important to note here there is a difference between genuine feedback and destructive criticism. Feedback is designed to strengthen your course in the safety of good counsel.  Destructive criticism is there to stop you!  I believe we can all learn from Nehemiah's model on  how to handle criticism.

Nehemiah teaches us three important truths about handling criticism:

(1) EXPECT IT. When spectators watch a race, where do they focus their attention? On the front runners! Someone said, "Criticism is something you can avoid easily - by saying nothing, doing nothing, and being nothing." But those three options don't work. So Nehemiah answered his critics, "I am doing a great work, so that I cannot come down." Don't step down to the level of your critics.

(2) EVALUATE IT. "Sanballat...sent to me, saying, 'Come, let us meet...But they thought to do me harm'" (Ne 6:2 NKJV). When people say, "I'm going to tell you something for your own good," often they've nothing good to tell you. When you're criticized, ask yourself: (a) "Who criticized me?" "Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful" (Pr 27:6 NKJV). Has this person earned the right to speak into your life? (b) "Why was this criticism given? Out of a personal hurt, or for my benefit?" Maintain the right attitude, look for the grain of truth, make the necessary changes, and take the high road.

(3) OUTLIVE IT. When Nehemiah's friends told him to run and hide, he replied, "I will not...So the wall was finished...in fifty-two days...when all our enemies heard of it...they perceived that this work was done by our God" (Ne 6:11-16 NKJV). Sometimes you're in more danger from the counsel of your friends than you are from the criticism of your enemies. That's when you must know who you are, what God's called you to do, and outlive the criticism!

So get out of the box, be a voice not an echo, don't look at their faces.....