How to Handle Criticism

You will be a victim of it (cf. Matthew 7:1). To escape criticism­­ “say nothing, do nothing, be nothing.” Criticism is one of the prices you pay for leadership.

How to Handle Criticism:

1. When you are criticized, remember you are in good company.
   • Micaiah (1 Kings 22:8­).
   • Elijah (1 Kings 18:17).
   • Jesus (Matthew 11:18-­19; 5:10-­11­­).
2. Make a friend out of your critic. How?
   • Practice the religion of the second mile (cf. Matthew 5:41).
   • Do something good for him (Matthew 5:44).
   • Pray for him (Matthew 5:44).
   • Don’t let him get you down.
   • When he criticizes you, turn around and compliment/commend him. “Kill them with kindness.”
3. Avoid criticizing others. B.C. Goodpasture: “If I make a mistake, I want it to be on the side of charity instead of severity.” We hate in others what we see being reflected from our lives. Never be afraid to say, “I’m wrong.”
4. Avoid being “thin skinned:”
   • Don’t develop a “what did he mean by that” attitude.
   • Don’t interpret every look suspiciously.
   • Don’t interpret every word suspiciously.
5. Don’t forget to pray.
6. Keep your eye on the goal …but not on your own glory. Be the best servant for God you can be. If the criticism is unjust, press on. You don’t have to leave a place when you’re criticized.
7. Understand what criticism is. It may not be personal—it may be someone just differing to be different. Remember that all criticism is neither bad nor unfounded. They may be trying to help, or add something to your success. True criticism is born of love. Be willing to grow and develop.
8. Be your own best critic. Listen to yourself recorded. Look for areas to improve. Evaluate the criticism you get and use what you can.
9. Conquer self-­pity. Build and maintain self­-confidence.
10. Equip your family for criticism. It’s part of a preacher’s life. God knows and He cares.
11. Stay busy. Don’t dwell on, magnify, or manufacture problems. Remember God knows and He wants to help.
12. “Give none occasion for the adversary to speak reproachfully.”

Areas in which you will be criticized:

1. Your work. Some will compare you to a former or favorite preacher. Each preacher has different strengths and areas of emphasis (deep study; evangelism; missions; camps; writing; visiting). Maximize your strengths and try not to have any glaring weaknesses.
2. Sermons.
   • Too long or too short.
   • Too deep or too shallow.
   • Too much in the Old Testament/never in the Old Testament.
   • Not balanced­ on all issues/not balanced on any issues.
   • Too hard, too unloving/too soft, too kind.
   • Too emotional/like steel.
   • Too doctrinal/not enough doctrine.
3. Hair. Clothes­­ too flashy/too expensive/not nice enough.
4. Time.
   • Visits too much.
   • Studies too much.
   • Always going fishing/golfing.
5. House. Not clean. Grass never cut/too much time in flower beds. Furniture old/too much money on furniture.
6. Family.
   • Your wife­­ is never at home/always visiting.
   • You never/always bring your children ­­visiting.
   • Children misbehaving
7. Personality
   • Either too quiet or too loud.
   • Either too familiar or too reserved.
   • Either too aggressive or too backward.
8. Friends
   • Why does he stay with them all the time?
   • Why, they aren’t his type?
   • It is okay to have friends in the congregation, but do not display it. Make sure in public places you are not seen too often with your best friends.
   • Spread yourself around.

Conclusion.

Remember for Whom you are working.

There will be 100 to 1 encouragers vs. discouragers.