Criticism

Criticism

Criticism can be good if it’s constructive, but it can also be terrible if used incorrectly. How do you criticize people?

What’s wrong with criticism? Criticism can be destructive. It’s in the Bible, "If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other." (Galatians 5:15, NIV).

I get annoyed with people around me because they have so many problems. Be careful of how you judge others. No one is perfect.

When we feel the urge to go and fix other people’s problems, Jesus tells us, “And why do you look at the speck in your brother’s eye, but do not perceive the plank in your own eye? Or how can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me remove the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the plank that is in your own eye? Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck that is in your brother’s eye.” Luke 6:41-31, NKJV. Before we can help others, we need to let Jesus fix us first, and then we can better help others.

The more mistakes we find in other people, the more we should be looking at ourselves.

What does God say about those who constantly look for people’s mistakes and shortcomings? As harsh as you judge other people, God will judge you. It’s in the Bible, Luke 6:37-38, TLB. "Never criticize or condemn–or it will all come back on you. Go easy on others; then they will do the same for you. For if you give, you will get!"

I have a hard time taking criticism. How can I be helped? It’s always easier to tell people what they’re doing wrong, rather than to hear what we are doing wrong. But, you cannot improve your weaknesses, unless you know what they are.

Think of a man who was not feeling well and visited the doctor. The doctor tries to tell him he has virus and needs to take medicine. Wouldn’t you be surprised if the man wouldn’t listen to the doctor, because he didn’t want to hear the doctor tell him he is sick, just that he is alright? Even it if isn’t fun to hear, if you have a “teachable spirit” you can learn from criticism. "If you rebuke a mocker, you will only get a smart retort; yes, he will snarl at you. So don’t bother with him; he will only hate you for trying to help him. But a wise man, when rebuked, will love you all the more. Teach a wise man, and he will be wiser; teach a good man, and he will learn more." (Proverbs 9:8-9, TLB).

Willingness to forgive is a part of constructive criticism. It’s in the Bible, "So watch yourselves. If your brother sins, rebuke him, and if he repents, forgive him." (Luke 17:3, NIV). When a person admits their faults, it is on you to forgive them.

Here are some tips from the Bible if you need give some constructive criticism.

1.  Look at others as better than yourself. "Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself." (Philippians 2:3, NKJV)

2.  Stick to the Bible, it is safer than your opinions. "All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work." (2 Timothy 3:16-17, NKJV)

3.  Even if you are right, you are responsible for having the right spirit. Ephesians 4:15 says, “but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head – Christ”