Then He said to the disciples, “It is impossible that no offenses should come, but woe to him through whom they do come! Luke17:1 NKJV

The He in the scripture used above is Jesus. He was warning us that we will be offended. And we all know that if we have spent any time at all being a live human. But this post is not about offense, or even forgiveness. Instead I submit another statement as one that Jesus could just as readily have said and it is:

“It is impossible that no criticism should come, but you also will criticize.”

Ever since the fall, things have not been right. Creation is not “very good” anymore. With that fact of reality, there is going to be many opportunities for criticism. Julie said the following in a comment on Tuesdays post.

“Criticism is definitely necessary in order to provoke change in human beings as well as methods and procedures.”

This is what criticism is all about and why it has to occur. We must do our best to align ourselves and all the things we say, do, think, or desire with the original “very good” state of God’s creation. We are to strive to be like God, to become more Christlike every day. To achieve even a modicum of success at this, we must be criticized and learn to accept criticism for what it is. It is those words that provoke change in us, or they should. Change in the way we are, or the way we think, or what we are doing with our life.

Shannon, over at Hope Aflame, was telling me about an upcoming meeting with his professor concerning his submitted thesis for seminary. It didn’t sound like he was altogether thrilled at the notion but as we talked the necessity of the meeting was clear. He needs it. He needs to have his work critiqued not only to find out if he is right but to prove to himself and his professor that he knows what and why he believes. Criticism helps us grow if we are open to that growth. And that growth brings us in line with our goals of becoming like our Savior.

We are all wrong sometimes. We are fallen human beings living in a war torn creation. How could we not be? But any person hungry to be like Jesus has to be not only open to criticism but to actively pursue it. Criticism can sharpen us, quicken us, and stimulate us. Have you ever lost a debate but knew you were right. A good critique can make you better the next time. John Sanders needs a little criticism about his debate with James White on Open Theism. He had the better argument, in my opinion, but failed miserably in his delivery.

Is criticism always good? I would have to say no.

Wayne asked in a comment, also on Tuesday, “Is there a difference in being critical vs. being negative?”

I believe there is but I also know that some of our critical attitudes are nothing more than negative attitudes. As some of the others commented, we are sometimes quick to say how bad the sermon was, or how pitiful the music is. We let others know how messed up their lives are when we hide so much of our own. We look at a fallen minister and say things like “How could he” or “He should have known better”. We should never hesitate to speak out against sin, but should we even wonder how it could happen in someone else’s life when we ourselves are so messed up. And if you aren’t, then praise God. I know I need His grace and mercy daily, not just once or twice a year.

Some of us are just negative by nature or nurture. Some of us are jealous and envious of others successes, gifts or abilities. Then we become bitter and negative after a period of letting these emotions reign in our lives. The criticism we then offer has nothing more behind it than the need to hurt someone else, because we hurt.

Before we criticize I believe we should ask ourselves some questions. Could I have done any better? Do I have a solution to offer? Does this really matter? Why do I feel the need to offer up any particular criticism? Is it my place?

We all need criticism and should offer criticism. We all need to accept it in the way we want the other to accept ours. We must not hesitate to offer it up when necessary and we need not always be gentle about it. Jesus softly criticized the disciples when they wrongly criticized the woman with the alabaster box in Matthew 26. He also offered up harsh criticism to the Pharisees, in the form of woes or warnings of severe punishment, even calling them names, in Matthew 23.

The first example only dealt with a style of worship but the second had eternal ramifications. For the Pharisees and those they were leading. Evaluate what type or level of criticism is needed in all situations. It may be that none is needed because it just doesn’t matter.

Or you may need to pound it into them because of the eternal stakes.

Whatever the case, remember this. It is impossible that no criticism is ever going to be needed. At least not until we all get to go home. Can you handle it? You need to because it is for your own good, however it is delivered.

Love you all

Tags: attitudes, Christlike, Creation, Grace, Hope, Love, Mercy, Self, seminary, Sin, thesis