In the Face of Criticism

Turn on the television and you will see criticism. Scroll through social media and you will read criticism. Have an informal discussion with someone and you will hear criticism. Strong opinions and critiques are everywhere. While criticism seems to be more rampant today in our world of overwhelming information and instant communication, it is definitely nothing new. Criticism goes all the way back to the Garden of Eden. In Genesis 3, we read that the serpent lured Eve through his crafty criticism of God. "Did God really say...?" Joel Beeke, author of Pastors and Their Critics, notes that "the serpent's question portrayed God as stingy and restrictive." He goes on to say, "The serpent's temptation came in the form of a lie about God, attacking both God's generosity and his integrity." He makes two very interesting observations: (1) "The first person ever criticized was the only One who has nothing in him worthy of criticism," and (2) "the first account of abusive words in covenant history resulted in the fall of mankind, which in turn became the source of all destructive criticism thereafter."

While Pastors and Their Critics was primarily written for pastors, anyone - church leaders, pastors' wives, church congregants, any person committed to following Christ - can gain wisdom from this practical book on how to receive and give criticism. How we respond to criticism and how we offer criticism reveal a great deal about our hearts. Beeke provides a beautiful description of Jesus in the face of criticism: "The weight of his sorrows could press nothing out of his holy soul except faith in his God and love for his neighbor." What comes out of us when we are pressed by the weight of criticism? Do we flow with godliness, humility, and prayer? Or do we spew out anger, pride, and self-righteousness? Even when we are undeserving of a certain critique, our response matters. Thankfully, God is sovereign over all things - including the criticisms we face. Beeke encourages us by saying, "Whether the critique leveled against you is just or unjust, constructive or destructive, fact or fiction, you can be sure that God is ruling over it and working in it toward your conformity to Jesus Christ for his glory."

It is impossible to avoid criticism if you are a human being, especially if you are follower of Christ. As Beeke says, "To avoid criticism, do nothing, say nothing, be nothing. Gospel ministry could be summed up in doing, saying, and being, all in a peculiarly public manner." He points out numerous practical applications for responding to criticism, but I was most encouraged by his emphasis on prayer. He cites several Psalms in which David cries out to the Lord in despair under the weight of great criticism. In each of those Psalms, David concludes by praising the Lord. Prayer changes his perspective. Beeke points out, "Prayer reorients our focus away from self and toward Christ. In so doing, it provides clarity of mind and warmth of soul, decreases our anxiety level, and rekindles our passion for what is right and true."

Regardless of the arena where we receive or give criticism, we can behave in a way that honors God and proclaims his glory. In my current stage of life, most of the criticism I offer is toward my children, and most of the criticism I receive is from my children. What are my critiques and responses teaching them? Am I pointing them toward Christ or away from him? I can't lead them well in my own power. I must pray and look to Christ's example in Scripture...and then pray some more. As Beeke reminds us, "The priority of our praying should be souls, not situations." We shouldn't be so focused on reforming our children's (or anyone else's) behavior that we neglect praying for and caring for their souls.

Beeke declares, "Criticism expands the soul to pray, and prayer expands the soul to endure criticism. Verbal critique should drive us to seek after God." May we seek after God and "consider how to stir up one another to love and good works" (Hebrews 10:24).