OVERCOMING THE CRITIC
TEXT: LUKE 6:1-11
THEME: OVERCOMING THE INFLUENCE OF THE CRITIC IN LIFE.
About a year and half into full-ministry, I made one of the biggest mistakes in my life. Personally, I was passive in this mistake. I only started the problem, but others certainly finished the damage. If I could, I would go back and change my actions. The youth ministry at the congregation was going well, in my estimation. Desiring to be a well informed leader and minister, I asked for members of the congregation to reply to a simply questionnaire concerning the ministry. There were numerous questions asked, such as “do you have any suggestions for activities” and “what areas do you feel we should focus on?” Easy stuff so far, but the mistake was asking people to give me their impression on my performance. The second mistake was not asking people to sign the survey. Most of the surveys were positive with helpful suggestions, but it was the three surveys that did the really damage. Personally, I was amazed at the harsh criticism of some of the brothers and sisters in the Lord. It was a rude awakening to the stinging pens of Christians. Some of the comments were direct jabs to the face. Comments like, “Matthew never attends the Thursday Night Devotional though he lives right next to the church building.” Others were, “He is only using the church to pay for his schooling” and “He is too impatience in leaving on youth trips.” The problem was that that I expected Christians to handle disagreement and problems face to face. No one ever asked me why I was not at the Devotional; if they did I would have told them that I was in school until eleven o’clock on Thursday nights. This was authorized and supported by the elders. Also, it certainly stung for someone to question my motives in serving Christ. Using the Church for school, first of all the congregation paid nothing towards my schooling, and second of all, I was in ministry school. What was I going to do with a Master’s in Bible, go be a well paid doctor? And the last comment was about me expecting the teens to be on time for the youth trips, I do not like to be late, and I was already called “The most impatience man ever” by one mother because I left on time for a youth event. Maybe, these comments hurt because I expected something else. Or maybe I felt like I was being slandered with injustice. I t just seemed like an opportunity for certain church members to insult me.
Certainly a lesson was learned from this mistake. Personally, I do not like giving people the open door to criticize me. I already feel inadequate enough, without inviting put downs. So I have closed the door to most people. It was a sad day, as I received those letters from church members. In no way do I claim to be perfect, but at least get my faults right. I like to live life with a certain level of naivety; I am an o.k. person, an o.k. preacher, and an o.k. human overall. But I discovered in ministry that I have more faults than I like to admit. There is always a problem somewhere with something you do. To be perfectly honest, I dislike criticism.
But it is one thing to dislike criticism; it is another to deal with it effectively. There are a lot of methods in dealing with critic people and harsh talk. But let’s go to a perfect example overcoming criticism. Look at the way Jesus deals with the situation. Jesus provides two healthy ways to deal with the critics. Luke 6:1-11 “Now it came about that on a certain Sabbath He was passing through some grainfields; and His disciples were picking and eating the heads of grain, rubbing them in their hands. But some of the Pharisees said, "Why do you do what is not lawful on the Sabbath?" And Jesus answering them said, "Have you not even read what David did when he was hungry, he and those who were with him, how he entered the house of God, and took and ate the consecrated bread which is not lawful for any to eat except the priests alone, and gave it to his companions?" And He was saying to them, "The Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." And it came about on another Sabbath, that He entered the synagogue and was teaching; and there was a man there whose right hand was withered. And the scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely, to see if He healed on the Sabbath, in order that they might find reason to accuse Him. But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, "Rise and come forward!" And he rose and came forward. And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm, to save a life, or to destroy it?" And after looking around at them all, He said to him, "Stretch out your hand!" And he did so; and his hand was restored. But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.”
Here is the Lord Jesus, and the Pharisees are watching him and criticizing what he and his disciples are doing. They are appalled that Jesus’ disciples are picking grain in the fields. There are numerous ways to handle criticism. Sometimes it is best to ignore it, other times, it might be wise to defend yourself. Jesus chooses to defend himself. This is wise when you feel there is some information that the other person wants to hear and needs to hear. If this information will change their perspective, it is wise to add some truth to the picture. If you feel that the person is open minded, sharing some information to enlighten the situation may help. Jesus shares some information to the Pharisees. He tells them about the example of David. Jesus knows the Old Testament law concerning work on the Sabbath. It was wrong to use a sickle on the Sabbath but was exceptable to pluck ears of grain while walking or traveling (Deut. 23:25). David did the same thing, but you glorify David and denounce me. Jesus uses the example of David because in 1 Samuel 21, David in fleeing from Saul went into the temple and ate the consecrated bread of the presence. This bread was set out weekly as a sacrifice to the Lord and was only consumed by the Priests. There is little doubt that David violated the law, but Jesus point is the human need constitutes a higher law, than the ceremonial law. If you are going to criticize me, be consistent. He even states that he is lord of the Sabbath. In other words, the Sabbath was made for man, and man not for the Sabbath. Some people will criticize you regardless. You have to do what you feel is right, because you cannot avoid criticism.
Craig a minister in Tulsa, OK, tells the story of a trip he took to a minister’s conference. A friend of his was sitting in the first class section of the plane. They exchanged hello’s and Craig set down. Later that evening, Craig saw his friend again. His friend was shocked to see him sitting in coach. He explained to him that a preacher needs to be refreshed for speaking. He badgered him about all the reasons that a minister needs to fly in comfort. On and one he went. Personally, Craig does not feel that way, coach is fine with him. The next evening, Craig found himself on the return flight. When they arrived on the plane the stewardess asked him if he would like to move up to first class. It is one thing to not pay for first class, it is another to turn down first class. So he sat in the nice section. But when some of the passengers started to get on the plane, there were some comments from people who saw Craig at the conference. One passenger stated “lounging in luxury.” Another lay walked by and said “it must feel great being an important minister. The regular people have to sit at the back of the plane.” The third guy was just rude in saying loud enough for everyone to hear “what a way to spend the church’s money.” Sometimes you will be criticized because the people do not have all the facts. If the facts will help the situation, then share them, if not, do the next option that Jesus gives.
The criticism of Jesus does not cease. The Pharisees are still watching him to make accusations. This time though, Jesus is even going to do what they will dislike right in front of them. He literally says, “deal with it.” Luke 6:7-11 “And the scribes and the Pharisees were watching Him closely, to see if He healed on the Sabbath, in order that they might find reason to accuse Him. But He knew what they were thinking, and He said to the man with the withered hand, "Rise and come forward!" And he rose and came forward. And Jesus said to them, "I ask you, is it lawful on the Sabbath to do good, or to do harm, to save a life, or to destroy it?" And after looking around at them all, He said to him, "Stretch out your hand!" And he did so; and his hand was restored. But they themselves were filled with rage, and discussed together what they might do to Jesus.” Jesus knows what is in their hearts and still acts. He knows that the people will become furious and mad. When it says that they will be filled with rage, it means that they are filled with madness. The text states that they are watching him. Literally, this means that they are maliciously are lying in wait for him. But he heals this man anyway. Jesus had the conviction and courage to act even in the face of harsh criticism. He was not going to allow his critics to change his behavior. Sometimes, a person coming to us with a good heart with good advice, we must heed. Others times, we must dismiss the critic and continue on. We must never be ashamed of right behavior or allow the critic to dictate our actions. Critics usually want control of you and the situation. Jesus stands up to his critics and says “deal with it.” You cannot live life trying to please everyone. It is impossible. You have to have convictions and if people disagree, too bad. Now we do not want to cause a brother to stumble. But if people are criticizing you unjustly, you cannot allow them to be you master. Be like Jesus and do what is right. He heals this made in plain sight. Sometimes when people start to criticize us, we become defensive or hyper-sensitive. We attempt to please everyone by our actions. But this is neurotic, because it cannot be done. You have to learn to deal with criticism the best way possible. Do not let criticism overcome you, but overcome criticism.
Gary Richmond paints an unforgettable picture of this. Richmond used to work at a zoo that had a thirteen-foot-long king cobra. Its venom glands contained enough poison to kill a thousand adults. The cobra had a scar that made him look like the embodiment of evil, but worse, it meant that when the snake shed his skin, the eye cap did not come off. It had to be removed by hand. And, unfortunately, snakes don’t have hands. This required a team of five people: two keepers, the zoo’s curator, a veterinarian, and Gary—whose job was to furnish the scalpel and sponge to the vet. The cobra slithered from its den spread its cape, raised itself up to full stature, and looked at eh five intruders, deciding oh his first victim. He chose the curator. With lightning speed the keepers threw their nets around the snake, the curator grabbed it behind the venom glands, and the vet said, “Let’s get this over with.” His hands were trembling; beads of sweat were dripping off everyone’s forehead but the snake’s. The vet asked if Gary had any cuts on his hands. “No.” He told Gary to wad up paper towels and stuff them in the cobra’s mouth. “Okay.” The cobra bit and chewed until the towels were yellow and dripping with venom, as the team worked, the curator explained that every year several full-grown elephants die from king cobra bites. A man could never survive a bite with a full load of venom. This is why he was having Gary drain the snake’s venom sacs.
You have to drain the sting of criticism, or the critic will overcome you.
