A Maturing Christian ... Can Handle Criticism

    Here's a little follow up to yesterday's message on the way the Apostle Paul handled the hostility and criticism of the Corinthians. The bottom line on the message was that we are best able to handle critics when we are most secure in our relationship with Christ. When we are living totally for Jesus and His glory, we can be assured of God's commendation (1 Cor 4:5). There is incredible power in the life that is lived in "Self-forgetfulness."
    I mentioned and then quoted from a a booklet that Tim Keller wrote entitled, "The Freedom of Self-forgetfulness." Here is the LINK to Amazon for the booklet. A couple of people asked about it.
    There was one area that I skimmed that I thought I might bring to your attention for your added investigation, meditation and prayerful consideration. It has to do with listening for the nugget of God's truth in every criticism level against you. I quoted a college mentor, Elizabeth Jackson as having told me that I should look at every criticism and see if there isn't some seed of truth that I need to consider as being valid and something that God would want to address in my life.
      The Bible itself is full of admonitions and then examples that illustrate how important it is that we take advice and criticism to heart. Not to let it dictate our self-worth, but for criticism to help us in our journey to be all that God wants us to be. Proverbs is an incredible place to start for those pithy encouragements to adhere to advice and respond properly to criticism.

Come and listen to my counsel. I'll share my heart with you and make you wise. (1:23)

Whoever heeds instruction is on the path to life, but he who rejects reproof leads others astray (10:17)

There is sever discipline for him who forsakes the way; whoever hates reproof will die. (15:10)

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home with the wise (15:31)

People who wink at wrong cause trouble, but a bold reproof promotes peace (10:10)

If you ignore criticism, you will end in poverty and disgrace; if you accept correction, you will be honored. (13:18)

To one who listens, valid criticism is like a goal earring or other gold jewelry. (25:12)

In the end, people appreciate honest criticism fare more than flattery. (28:23)

Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be destroyed beyond recovery. (29:1)


Just do a word search for criticism or reproof. You'll find plenty of material to build a strong case for  taking the time to handle criticism God's way. The key, once again, is that we are so secure in our relationship with Christ that we are not destroyed by hostile criticism and can therefore use it for our growth and maturity in Christ-likeness. 

A HUGE REMINDER: The vision of the church is not that you simply attend church. The vision is that you will become a mature, reproducing follower of Jesus Christ.

What Submission is NOT

In the message I preached on Mother’s Day (Wives and the “S” Word) I presented a list of what submission is NOT. I had a number of comments on that list and expression of appreciation for making some important distinctions. I thought that it was important enough and might benefit a lot of us to review it here. Keep in mind that these thought are drawn out of 1 Peter 3:1-6 and are not meant to be the end all on the topic of submission in marriage.

¯  Peter is not saying that all women must submit to all men. This is all about the marriage relationship and to make more of it than that is abusive.

¯  Peter is not saying that a woman can’t have thoughts independent of her husband’s. That’s ludicrous! In fact when we get to considering the way God has created us as complimentary we discover that the independent thinking of the wife is critical for the success of the husband and the marriage.

¯  Peter is not saying that the woman should not influence her husband. God himself took note that it wasn’t good for man to be alone. He needed someone to help influence and help him.

¯  Peter is not saying that the husband is the ultimate authority in his wife’s life. Obviously Christ is the ultimate authority. And then Christ puts other “deputy” authorizes over the husband to rule over any abuse he might exercise over his wife. If the husband is abusing his authority or his wife or family, she is to appeal to those authorities placed over him … beginning with the church and then potentially the government.