Session Three Responding to Criticism How to Respond

Session Three Responding to Criticism

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Human nature says respond "in kind" to others — curse for curse, blow for blow. n One of the clearest challenges of Christ is not to respond "in kind, " but to respond "in the Spirit. " n To be Spirit controlled rather than situation controlled is not natural to human nature.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Being Spirit controlled becomes natural to the new nature that a believer receives at salvation — the very nature and mind of Christ. n To counter evil for evil is natural, but to counter evil with good is the supernatural work of Christ within you. Rom 12: 21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be assured that you can accept others in the same way Christ accepts you. Pray — n "Lord, I thank You that You accepted me when I was undeserving and that You continue to accept me even when I fail. Because of Your acceptance of me, I can accept others and even those who fail me. I will choose to accept my most severe critic as a divine creation of God. " Rom 15: 7 Wherefore, accept one another, just as Christ also accepted us to the glory of God.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be open to the slightest kernel of truth when you are criticized. Pray — n "Lord, if there is any truth in the critical words said about me, please convict my heart so that I might confess it and cooperate with You to change it. " Prov 17: 10 A rebuke goes deeper into one who has understanding than a hundred blows into a fool.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be willing to consider the criticism. If it is true, this person is God's megaphone to get your attention. Pray — n "Lord, I accept this criticism as Your way of teaching me something I need to know. Please reveal to me what it is You are saying to me through the criticism. " Prov 12: 15 The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, But a wise man is he who listens to counsel.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others to receive criticism without being defensive. n Be able n Admit to any truth in the criticism. n Agree when you are in error. n Ask for further correction.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others Pray — n "Lord, I admit that I [state the offense]. I agree that I was wrong. Please continue to use others to put me on a correction course when I'm off track in my attitudes or actions. And please continue to transform me more and more into the character of Christ. " Prov 15: 12 A scoffer does not love one who reproves him, He will not go to the wise.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be determined to speak well of your critic. Pray — n "Lord, I yield my tongue to You. I ask that You place a guard over my mouth so that I will only speak the truth in love to [name] and always speak well of [name] to others. I pledge to focus on the good in [name] and not on the bad. " Rom 12: 14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and curse not.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be committed to pray for your critic. Pray — n "Lord, I commit [name the person] into Your hands. I pray that [he/she] will learn to love the way You love and to have a peace that is Your peace. I pray that [name] comes to experience Your love, grace, and truth in profoundly deep ways, and in so doing, becomes a blessing to many. " Matt 5: 44 "But I say to you, love your enemies, and pray for those who persecute you

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be aware that as a follower of Christ, you will be criticized. Pray — n "Lord, I want to be like Christ. Just as Jesus was unjustly criticized, I should expect to be criticized. Rather than feeling rejected, I choose to rejoice in the privilege of suffering in this way, and I thank You for rewarding me by calling me blessed. " Matt 5: 11 "Blessed are you when men cast insults at you, and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely, on account of Me.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be encouraged that you will be disciplined by God because you are His child. Pray — n "Lord, thank You for loving me and dealing with me as a loving Father by disciplining me when I need correction. I choose to receive all discipline from You as a sign of Your devotion to me and of Your acceptance of me as Your child. " n Heb 12: 5+6 and you have forgotten the exhortation which is addressed to you as sons, "My son, do not regard lightly the discipline of the Lord, Nor faint when you are reproved by Him; For those whom the Lord loves He disciplines, And He scourges every son whom He receives. "

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be dependent on the Lord's perspective to determine your worth and value, not on the opinions of others. Pray — n "Lord, thank You for establishing my worth and value by dying for me and adopting me into Your family. I will not live for the approval of people, for I have Your approval, and that is all I need. Thank You for loving me. " Gal 1: 10 For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I striving to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

How to Respond to the Criticism of Others n Be discerning regarding the accuracy of the critical words of others. Pray — n "Lord, help me not to accept all critical words as true, nor to reject all words as lies. Enable me to discern the false from the true. Put a hedge of protection around my mind so that I reject the lies. Allow my heart to accept constructive criticism that You may bring freedom to my life and change me. " Prov 16: 21 The wise in heart will be called discerning, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

Build rather than destroy n A critical nature toward others is a cry for significance within ourselves. n Verbal abusers bash others in order to feel better about themselves. n Yet when we see our significance as a child of God — when we learn how dearly loved we are by the Lord — instead of tearing others down, we will be fulfilled in building others up. June Hunt

ENCOURAGEMENT COMMUNICATES CARE n On this day. . . n Mend a quarrel. n Search out a forgotten friend. n Dismiss a suspicion and replace it with a trust. n Write a letter to someone who misses you. n Encourage a youth who has lost his faith.

ENCOURAGEMENT COMMUNICATES CARE n Keep a promise. n Forget an old grudge. n Examine your demands on others. n Fight for a principle. n Express your gratitude.

ENCOURAGEMENT COMMUNICATES CARE n Take time to appreciate the beauty of nature. n Give God the praise. n Tell someone you love them. n Tell them again, and again. —Author unknown