We can respond in many different ways to criticism and those who hate God, so how do we respond when we are criticized for our faith?
With Humility and Gentleness
[1]We can respond in many different ways to criticism and those who hate God, so how do we respond when we are criticized for our faith? The best way to respond to criticism is always with humility. It doesn’t matter whether it’s unfair or true criticism. We know that God will resist the proud but He only gives more grace to the humble of heart (James 4:6). When a friend or a co-worker criticizes you, we shouldn’t respond with criticism or retaliate. Why? Because they may actually be doing us a favor by trying to point out something is wrong with our life. Everyone has blind spots in their life, so they may be right. Others may see things in us that are not true, but we don’t fight back with words. Christians are told, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who abuse you” (Luke 6:27-28). The best we can do is to thank the person for trying to help us, whether they’re right or wrong. Give them the benefit of the doubt since they could be right. If we react in anger, we may lose a friend or a co-workers input forever and that would be a great loss indeed.
With Thanks
Yes, I said with thanks. It doesn’t matter whether it’s true or not, we should tell them thank you for trying to help us. Paul wrote that “Love believes all things” (1 Cor 13:7), meaning we should give people the benefit of the doubt. Don’t hold a grudge and tell them “Well, that’s your opinion” because why else would they be criticizing you if they didn’t think it would make a difference in your life and help you. Yes, it could be persecution for your faith or maybe they’re just having a bad day, but don’t let it make you have one bad day too.
[2]“I need to work on that.”
Consider the Source
There is a guy that I used to work with who criticized just about everyone that he came into contact with. For the most part, his criticism was unfair and downright wrong, however instead of answering in anger, my reply was to ask him “I appreciate you trying to help but what evidence do you have in saying that?” That caused him to calculate a little bit and come up with his supposed evidence. When people are critical, and believe me there is no shortage of such people, just consider the source. That person may have a bad marriage, went through a divorce, or is battling health issues. Plus, if they are not saved we should pray for them, having compassion for them. Perhaps they’ve heard so much negativity and criticism as a child they think it’s normal to criticize others. Pray for them. Consider their background and don’t let it get you down.
Admit They May Be Right
If you see they are right, admit it, right there on the spot! Say, “Yes, I see what you mean. Thank you for letting me know about this because I had no idea.” Tell them, “I need to work on that.” Remember “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful” (Prov 27:6). I would rather receive wounds to heal than kisses to flatter, and since “iron sharpens iron” (Prov 27:17), and rust never sleeps, admit that they are right and move on…you’ve just grown! Responding to criticism can go well or rather badly. The choice is yours. Accept it with humility, with thanks, consider the source, and admit that they might be right. To respond any other way might just cutoff one of those people who can help you grow or you can share Christ with.
Consider Yourself
[3]
Who among us were not “God-haters” before we were saved? I know that only by the grace of God that I am still not a God-hater. The Apostle Paul wants to remind us as he did the church at Corinth that “such were some of you. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God” (1 Cor 6:11). Love those who don’t love God because God loved us first (1 John 4:19), so the first move is on us, but how do you handle someone who hates God and may hate you are a believer? We do exactly what Jesus commands us to do in Matthew 5:44 where He said “Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,” so we pray for those who hate us, remembering at one time we were His enemy (Rom 5:10).
Doing Good to Haters
Jesus commands believers to, “Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you” (Luke 6:27). Why? Because Jesus says it is “so that you may be sons of your Father who is in heaven. For he makes his sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust” (Matt 5:45). For the world, it’s no big deal “if you love those who love you, what reward do you have? Do not even the tax collectors do the same” (Matt 5:46)? Doing good to others, even when they don’t deserve it, is just what God did for us (Eph 2:8-9). The next time someone attacks you for your faith, ask God to bless them and pray for their soul right then and there. We don’t seek to get revenge or to get even. This alone is God’s job (Rom 12:17). Instead we are told to love them and prayer for them.
[4]
Summary
Don’t be like the Pharisees…they were hard on everyone but easy with themselves, when truly, we should be hardest on ourselves and easy on others. Before we respond to those who hate God and may even hate us, remember our own history and that we too once hated God; so pray for those who are your enemies; do good to those who hate you; and ask God to bless them and pray for them that persecute you. That is how we can deal with those who hate God or hate us for our love of God or constantly criticize us. Just remember our own lives and think that “such were some of you” (1 Cor 6:11)!
Conclusion
I pray you have put your trust in our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. If that has not happened yet, my friend, you are in real danger of hell fire. And I mean, in immediate danger. You’re one breath, one heartbeat…one accident away from eternity when it will be too late to repent. Today is the best day to believe (2 Cor 6:2) since tomorrow is no guarantee. If Jesus Christ came today, here is your fate (Matt 7:21-23). This is why I plead with you as you read this, repent today…and I mean right now. Put your trust in Jesus Christ. If you do not, you will face God’s judgment after death guaranteed (Heb 9:27) or at Jesus Christ’s appearance (Rev 20:12-15), which could happen at any moment.
Here is some related reading for you: What Does the Bible Say About Criticism? A Christian Study [5]
Resource – Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), Crossway Bibles. (2007). ESV: Study Bible: English standard version. Wheaton, Ill: Crossway Bibles. Used by permission. All rights reserved.