Criticism: How to Handle it

Criticism, judgment of others, and gossip are universal habits among mankind.  It is a direct consequence of man's ever present sinful nature.  Even if a person is not aware of this nature, he still knows that something resists him when he tries to attain that goal of holiness or goodness which he cherishes in his heart.

The apparent failure to reach one's goal makes everyone insecure to some degree and this insecurity increases when one perceives that some persons are better than him.

To compensate for personal failure, most people draw a stern code of conduct for others and rigidly enforce it when talking about them.  Since everyone is fallible, the other person will fall short of this code of conduct at one time or other and this immediately turns on the gossip machine.  Somehow this shortcoming of others seems to offer a great vindication for our own sins.

A person indulging in any form of criticism exhibits his spiritual immaturity.  Foolishly and loudly he is announcing about his inadequacies which no one else knew so far.  If an athlete fails to perform, he knows that what he needs is more training, not criticism of other athletes or the coach.  If a student fails in an exam, he can improve upon it only if he works hard next time.  He will not be benefited if he spends the rest of his time criticizing the education system.  But in spiritual and social matters we forget this. Our minds are so much blinded by sin that we do not see a simple matter like this: our performance is going to improve only if we keep trying but not if we keep criticizing.

The person who criticizes others is expressing arrogance.  He is proud that he is not going to fall in the face of temptations and perplexities of life.  How foolish ! Even the  greatest saint mentioned  in Bible was not immune to sins and failure.  Since the gossiping believer takes pride in the fact that he is standing firm he must be warned because his downfall is approaching fast.

If we look honestly at our own shortcomings, then instead of becoming critical we would become more sympathetic towards their spiritual needs.  Instead of trying to play doctor for others, we will accept that we too are patients.  We will understand that we all are fallible and that only the Lord can be the true doctor.

Every act of criticism is based upon a judgment.  An act of judgment in which we are the innocent party while the other person is the criminal.  It is a biased court of law and the outcome always declares us righteous and our opponent a gross sinner.  But this does not add anything to our actual standing with the Lord. Rather, it only invites His wrath and our personal downfall.

Criticism and gossip are sweet sins and slow poisons. Slowly they distort our perspective to such an extant that the speck in our brother's eye seriously disturbs our peace while the beam in our own eye remains invisible.  The speck created by someone hurts us terribly but the log created by us is not even perceived.  We find no peace till that speak is removed, but do not realize that it is the beam in our own eye that is the cause of our problems.

Lastly, indulging in criticism is to step into a region which the Lord has reserved for Himself. Every act of criticism starts with some judgment or other.  But one believer is not allowed to judge another.  The Lord has not given this authority to us.  Therefore by judging a person whom we are not entitled to judge.  We are piling one sin upon another.

Criticism is always a sign of immaturity and insecurity.  Neither of these problems will be solved by further indulgence.  Rather, the load of sin is only going to increase.  Ultimately it only harms the criticizer.  It is foolish. Let every child of God be wiser and more discerning in this matter.