How to handle criticism as a Christian

Have you ever been accused of doing something you have never even thought about? Have you had an experience that took you off guard and got you worrying for nothing; were you accused of doing wrong behind your back and was crucified unjustly for what you knew nothing about. For weeks you could not deal with it? Did you have mixed feelings about the whole situation such that you even allowed your emotion get the best part of you by feeling betrayed and suspecting everyone around you as the culprit? As simple as the situation may seem, did it really affect your communion with God? Did you almost lost your mind and mess up valuable relationships in your life?

If your answers to the questions in the paragraph above are “YES”, then you experienced or are experiencing Annihilative Criticism.

Criticism is an act of expressing an opinion about what is considered to be wrong or faulty about somebody or something. Criticism is generally classified as two types: Constructive and Destructive criticism. Constructive criticism is done to correct the wrong or fault by somebody or something while destructive criticism is done to condemn the wrong or fault by somebody or something.

In addition to this two, I have added another type of criticism which is called Annihilative criticism. Annihilative criticism is an intended false accusation fabricated for the destruction of somebody or something.

At some point or the other, we have experienced the first two types of criticism but fewer people have experienced the annihilative criticism. Examples of people who have experienced the annihilative criticism are our Lord Jesus Christ, Stephen, Paul and Joseph etc who were unjustly criticized and judged. If they were guilty, it would have been a different situation but they were accused wrongly just because some men do not agree with them.

The purpose of this discussion is to learn simple ways to deal with annihilative criticism as a Christian.

1.      The Paul Way

As Christians, we are not accountable to man but to God. We owe no man an explanation to an accusation. With time, the truth will come to light. Why worry when nothing you could possibly say can change people’s opinion of the matter. As long as your conscience is clear before God and before man, you have nothing to be anxious about.

1 Corinthians 4:3-5 (NIV)

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me. Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God.

Man’s testimony of us is not to be taken wholeheartedly because man is very unstable in his ways. Jesus Christ did not put the praises of man at heart because He knew what they have in them.

John 2:24-25 (THE MESSAGE)

But Jesus didn't entrust his life to them. He knew them inside and out, knew how untrustworthy they were. He didn't need any help in seeing right through them.

It is only what God says about you that matters. It is only God that has the right to judge you. You do not need the justification of man. Man is insatiable. You are accountable to God alone. The same people who believed Jesus because of the miraculous signs is the same people who shouted that Jesus should be crucified even as reluctant as Pilate were.

2.      The Joseph Way

Endure the hardship. Don’t fight back. Let God fight for you. Joseph is one man that grew up knowing hardship in life. At first, it was his own blood brothers who wanted him dead before selling him into slavery (Genesis 37:28). Then, his master’s wife wanted him to help her satisfy her lust for him (Genesis 39:7-20). Lastly, the chief cupbearer forgot Joseph in the prison (Genesis 40:23).

Joseph endured everything without grooming revenge in his heart towards any of this people. He took it as the way God would have it be.

Genesis 50:19-20 (NIV)

But Joseph said to them, "Don't be afraid. Am I in the place of God? You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives.

Throughout those periods of hardship, God was with Joseph, in the pit, the palace and the prison.  

Psalms 66:12 (NIV)

You let men ride over our heads; we went through fire and water, but you brought us to a place of abundance.

The glory that awaits such trials is usually a great one. God is with us all through the way. His thoughts towards us are good thoughts. Don’t expect the world to accept you and love you because we are not of this world. The world sees everyone as themselves. They don’t believe in what you believe in so it is difficult for them to comprehend that any man can live above sin common to man.

3.      The Stephen Way

Pray for yourself and pray for them.

Matthew 5:44b (NIV)

…and pray for those who persecute you,

Stephen prayed for himself and prayed for those who unjustly persecute him.

Acts 7:59-60 (NIV)

While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, "Lord Jesus, receive my spirit."  Then he fell on his knees and cried out, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." When he had said this, he fell asleep.

Why should you pray for yourself? You need spiritual strength to endure the pain and receive the grace to pray for those persecuting you. By flesh you cannot smile to someone who is intentionally hurting you.

Pray for them. It is the will of God. It is the statute of God.

Matthew 5:45 (NIV)

…that you may be sons of your Father in heaven.

           

Matthew 5:48 (NIV)

Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect.

  

     4.    The Jesus Way

Love them. That is the ultimate commandment. Love your neighbor as yourself. Love them when they hate you. That was what Jesus did for us. He loved us while we were yet sinners (1 John 4:19) He died for us when we did not know his worth. He gave us grace which enables us to keep correcting our mistakes every now and then.

           Matthew 5:44 (NIV)

            But I tell you: Love your enemies

           

 Don’t pay evil with evil. Overcome evil with love.

           

Romans 12:20-21 (THE MESSAGE)

Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he's thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don't let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.

Conclusion

No matter what the world throws at us, we should never waver in God’s instructions which are his words. Whatever we do, do it to the glory of God. And the peace of God will be ours forever more (amen).

Psalms 119:165 (NIV)

Great peace have they who love your law, and nothing can make them stumble.