How Can I Have Victory Over Critical Words said Against Me?
CONVERSATIONS:
Q: How Can I Have Victory over critical Words?
Criticism is hard to receive, especially when you feel it’s unjustified.
But we can use criticism to our advantage.
It’s been said that “a successful person can build a stepping stone, from the bricks that are hurled at him.” What that means is, we can take the criticism we receive, learn from it, and use it as a stepping stone to make us become wiser and go higher.
How then, do we deal, with painful words, that we receive from others?
Ask yourself honestly, is there a basis for these comments? Is this criticism constructive or destructive?
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If as a Christian, you realize that you have some fault, and that your behavior has not been Christ-like in handling that incident, then humility is the best response to criticism.
- Before you rush to defend yourself, before friends or social media, it is good to have a private time with the Lord first. Ask Him what He thinks. Then respond according to God’s word, not according to your emotions.
How do these verses help you?
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Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves. Philippians 2: 3
Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. James 4:10
Good and upright is the Lord; therefore he instructs sinners in his ways. He guides the humble in what is right and teaches them his way. Psalm 25:8-9
Q: How do we deal with unfair or destructive criticism?
a. Remind yourself that Jesus Himself, was unjustly criticized.
“Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted.” Hebrews 12: 3
b. Be wise in your words.
"The good man brings out of his good treasure what is good; and the evil man brings out of his evil treasure what is evil. "But I tell you that every careless word that people speak, they shall give an accounting for it in the day of judgment. Matthew 12: 35-36
Set your heart on pleasing the Lord. Let your reward and vindication come from Him.
What can you learn from these verses?
“Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow, an undeserved curse will not land on its intended victim.” Proverbs 26: 2 NLT
Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. Colossians 3: 1-3
Prayer:
Dear Heavenly Father,
Thank You that you know how it feels to be criticized and accused.
We lay at your feet this particular situation ______________________ that has caused us hurt and pain.
Father, give me the ability to discern how I should respond to these hurtful words. I don’t want to react emotionally but be led by your Holy Spirit.
Please give me Your point of view regarding this situation. I want to see it from your eyes and be led by your wisdom and control.
Thank you for your reminder, that “a gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” Proverbs 15: 1
I want to have a teachable heart, to grow and learn godly lessons from constructive criticism. At the same time, I don’t want to allow condemnation to eat my soul.
Thank you that you are my teacher as well as my defender, In Jesus name, Amen.
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