If you say what God wants you to say, then all the criticism in the world doesn't matter. If you don't say what God wants you to say, then all the compliments in the world don't matter. In fact, those compliments can become your downfall. Criticism is dangerous. It can harden your heart and poison your spirit if you don't handle it the right way. But I wonder if compliments are even more dangerous? If you preach for compliments you'll avoid tough topics because you won't want to step on toes. I hope you get compliments as a preacher. But I also hope you get some criticisms mixed in. If you aren't offending pharisees now and then, you might be preaching a man-pleasing message instead of a God-pleasing message.
By the way, if you are criticized for the wrong reasons take it as a compliment. And if you are complimented for the wrong reasons take it as a criticism.
By the way, if you are criticized for the wrong reasons take it as a compliment. And if you are complimented for the wrong reasons take it as a criticism.
9 Comments:
Almost a year ago now, God got me on this. Mine was mostly avoiding criticism - and though I'm not a preacher, He's gifted me to speak truth and teach, so speaking what He says is paramount.
He quietly spoke these words to me written by Paul so long ago, translated over years: Obviously, I'm not trying to win the approval of people, but of God. If pleasing people were my goal, I would not be Christ's servant. (Gal. 1:10)
I want to be Christ's servant, so I am going to please HIM and let Him worry about the people.
I heard @RickWarren say one time that he treats compliments and criticisms like bubblegum, "I chew on it for a while but I never swallow it."
"if you are criticized for the wrong reasons take it as a compliment. And if you are complimented for the wrong reasons take it as a criticism."
Love it.
Sometimes Godly people will criticize you and their criticism is VALID! How do you REALLY know that what you think God wants you to say is really from God? What criteria do you use?
Randy,
First of all, does it pass the Biblical Filter test? You have to measure the criticism against Scripture. Second, you need to consider the source. Do they have godly character and a good track record? Third, you need to be humble enough and honest enough to consider the criticism.
All of the above takes tremendous discernment.
Mark
Reminds me of the prophet Micaiah in 2 Chronicles 18. Good reminder!
Great stuff Mark - its scary how easy it is to forget this and start to play to the complements instead of to God's leading
Great stuff Mark - its scary how easy it is to forget this and start to play to the complements instead of to God's leading
Thanks for this post. Been dealing with a situation where I was completely misquoted and people were angry because of it. Got it resolved through loving conversation, but had me concerned with what I say, and how forceful I say it. Thoughts from this post and a tweet from perry noble yesterday have helped me know that it was the right thing to say and that I would have been wrong to change it.
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