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“He who disdains instruction despises his own soul,
But he who heeds rebuke gets understanding.” (Proverbs 15:32)
Do you hate to be criticized? How do you feel when someone criticizes you? Do you accept it in a gracious manner? Or do you complain, feel inadequate, want to give up, defend yourself, make excuses, or even go on the attack?
It has been said, There is only one wat to avoid criticism: Do nothing, say nothing, be nothing!
Four Godly Ways to Accept Criticism (Whether Constructive or Unkind)
- Accept it joyfully and quietly. Don’t cut off the other person, complain, or give any excuses for yourself. It will make you look prideful (because you may very well be prideful), which is something God does not like. You must realize that you are not perfect, and part of being human is making mistakes and growing from them. No one is “too perfect” or “too good” to be criticized. Even Jesus, a perfect person to walk this planet, was not exempt from criticism; He took the most criticism! So, quietly receive the criticism without arguing and just genuinely say, “Thank you.” This shows great humility and will strengthen you to receive critiques over time.
- Be thankful for the criticism because, many times, God speaks through it. Ask yourself, what exactly am I being criticized for? Is it a personality flaw such as laziness or something else? Is this criticism about something in my life that isn’t pleasing to God? View this as a way to make you better.
- Ask yourself, is this critique helpful, more harmful, petty, or nitpicky? Is the critique something you really need? Ask the Lord to show you what you need to improve. Does the critique pertain to your character, work performance, or relationships? He will reveal and confirm what you need to improve on.
- Apply it! Criticism is there to help us and make us better. As painful as harsh criticism can be it still can be helpful. Even if the pain is for a moment, at the end of it all, you’d rather something be said than not!
If nothing is said, how can something or someone be improved? Take that “negative” and turn it into a positive.
Dr. Stan Ponz is founder and president of Make It Clear Ministries (a national ministry that began in 1973 to help people take the Gospel and the Word of God into every person's world!). Stan also serves as President of Clarity Christian College. and is married to his high school sweetheart Carol, who led him to the Lord in 1966.
