Criticism

It’s been said that in life, nothing is certain but death and taxes. I would add one more item to that list: criticism. Especially if you are a leader.

And, if you are reading this – you are a leader.

When I use the word criticism, I have to add a disclaimer. I’m not a big believer in the term “constructive criticism.” I believe many people use that term to try to mask their fault finding. There is analysis, there is interpretation, and classification of results, but criticism, in my experience, is almost exclusively dispensed as judgement and internalized as hurt by the receiver.

BUT, and this is a big deal - how you deal with criticism determines your quality of life. Our response to criticism reveals our true source of security.

We have all met people whose esteem constantly needs to be bolstered. We all know the person who constantly needs to be in the limelight, always has to be number one, always brings each conversation back to them. The one who is always manipulating, constantly threatened by the gifts and talents in others.

A Saul will walk into each David’s life.

A spear will be thrown, relationships destroyed, reputations tarnished.

How will you respond? How we respond to criticism reveals our maturity and our character.

Will I retaliate, or will I submit to the plans and purpose of God, even if it causes me discomfort?

David was anointed King over Israel by the prophet of God yet he was a hunted man who had to flee to the Caves of Adullum to find sanctuary. He knew WHO he was and WHOSE he was and trusted that God’s ultimate destiny would unfold in HIS time. Until the appointed time came, he stayed in his lane and submitted to God's plan. Could not have been easy.

David had to hide in a cave because Saul’s insecurity and torment of mind caused him to seek to destroy David. We may not be physically hunted down, but has anyone ever threatened to destroy your peace of mind? Anyone ever seek to advance themselves by knocking you down? Anyone ever disregard your feelings because they could not see past their own ego?

A critical spirit is empowered by pride and is entangled with the spirit of rejection. A person who has not found their identity hidden in Christ will be insecure, judgmental and always seek to elevate themselves in their minds and prioritize their own needs. They will point fingers at anyone who threatens their self-importance.

A critical spirit always finds fault. When there is no fault to be found, they will manufacture something. A critical spirit is rooted in insecurities or offense. The person that manifests a critical spirit overcompensates for their own hurts and wounds by inflicting hurt on others.

A critical spirit is also rooted in pride. We all know someone who thinks they are perfect. They are not insecure and they are not wounded. They are just a legend in their own minds. From the perspective of the lofty pedestal they have placed themselves on, there is plenty to criticize in others. After all, no one has attained their perfect state!

We’ve all been targets. I know this because anyone who makes the Lord their focus, who makes prayer their priority, who makes the study of God’s Word their mission and who is called and equipped by Adonai, has a target on their back.

The spirit of Saul will always hunt down the Davids.

How do we fight this? We walk in forgiveness and REFUSE to hold offense.

Forgive quickly!

"Love keeps no record of wrongs." 1 Cor 13:5

“So we are lying if we say we have fellowship with God but go on living in spiritual darkness; we are not practicing the truth.” 1 John 1:6

And, we cannot kid ourselves – living in a state of unforgiveness is walking in spiritual darkness.

You know WHO you are and WHOSE you are.

David had to flee to the Caves of Adullum. You may also have to find a place to hide out for a while. But just as God sovereignly kept David in the caves, He will do the same for you. He can find all of your hiding places.

The Lord sent 400 men to the caves to encourage and help David. By the time he ruled from Hebron, he had several hundred thousand with him. (1 Chron 12) God will multiply you as you remain securely hid in HIM. Or, He may ask you to fight with just Him by your side. Either way, you have an army fighting with you and your victory is assured.

I don’t know about you but that makes taking criticism a little bit easier.

And, if you have been guilty of meting out criticism, repent. God will forgive and cleanse and build you up. He will show you who you are in HIM. If there are wounds that need to be healed that are making you open to a critical spirit, ask Holy Spirit to show you and make you whole! Time is precious and we cannot waste any of it remaining broken when we know the Healer! Lord, we surrender to Your perfect work in us.