My friends, there’s a difference between criticism and slander!

Every so often your name may be slandered. (Most people have this happen at least once in their lives!)

This gets back to you through the grapevine. I personally find myself upset when this happens. However, I am not nearly as disturbed by slander, as I am by criticism.

Slander can be shut out, because it’s simply dishonest. What is said has no real facts. There are a jumble of assumptions and lies spoken.

It disturbs me because others could believe the untruths. I try in every way to clear up deception in these situations.

But, those who feed and feast on stories that others tell them, without talking to the party that is “served up for picking apart” are often cowardly and afraid to verify facts.

And… then there’s the fear of they themselves being shown in a poor light by those who drew them into the net of slander if they dare question the authenticity of the “well honed” story.

Is there anything that pierces you deeper than a harsh, face slapping, judgmental word?

Every now and then I have to stop and re-adjust my whole outlook on what I do and why. I find there are times when I lose my equilibrium and delight, when pulled under the onslaught of criticism or false accusation when I speak things from the Father from within my inner being.

There are two kinds of criticism.

One is called “constructive.” It is designed, in the critic’s mind, to bring a positive outcome.

However, constructive criticism can be as painful to the one being criticized as that which is called “destructive.” Both hurt. Criticism can drag you down.

But… Thank God for criticism!

It can be an amazing stabilizer. Moses grew spiritually in his dependence on God through criticism and the author of Proverbs constantly urges us to seek wisdom and correction.

Criticism gets to me in a much more subtle way. Sometimes the critical word has some truth to it!

My response to it is a clear sign that someone is calling me out at a vulnerable point and if not careful my pride gets wounded!

Jesus Himself was despised and rejected of men. He was a Man of sorrows. The Bible says that He was acquainted with grief.

Those who followed Him were very fickle.

One moment they expressed their affection.

The next they turned it off. He was plotted against, and lied about. He was tongue lashed and pushed away.

One day He was praised as a hero. The next day He was nailed to a cross. Spiritual leadership is costly. It threatens.

Stephen found this out.

He could not deny The LORD. He was willing to walk into the face of his culture, declaring that the Messiah had come, and plead for his Jewish neighborhood to repent and trust Jesus Christ.

Then, as they stoned him to death, in love he cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” He paid for the price of his convictions!

I doubt that any of us will be stoned to death in a literal way for our faith in Jesus. Maybe we will. But I will guarantee some of you are right now in the process of being stoned into a spiritual death by the criticisms of those who mock your witness and your love of The LORD.

We all have a tendency toward criticism. To be honest, we all engage in this petty activity.

It can be against other people, or maybe we are critical of the way God seems to do things!

How sad it is to be caught up in discontent, dissatisfied with those around us, and with the very God who has created us and revealed himself in the Person of Jesus Christ.

Yes, we are to tell the truth In love. There is that occasional constructive, gently placed criticism which can help our brother or sister.

However, we have no right to destroy another person.

We can put an emotional overload on others through our criticism and outright flaying them with the pent up anger inside of us. We can make life unbearable for them.

“The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately sick; who can understand it?” Jeremiah 17:9.

Perhaps…we call it truth.

There is a place to speak the truth.

But it needs to be cushioned with love, or we will destroy others with the very same criticism that hurts us so much.

Four questions which will help you handle criticism:

✴️ One, is it valid?

✴️ Two, am I doing my best?

✴️ Three, am I willing to suffer for Christ?

✴️ Four, am I doing it to others?

Give everything you’ve got to the life God wants you to live. Don’t let criticism get the better of you.

God will provide the strength.

Face it with the resources to move ahead in spite of it.

Pray the scripture Verse …. It truly helps.

“Investigate my life, O God, find out everything about me; cross-examine and test me, get a clear picture of what I’m about; see for yourself whether I’ve done anything wrong — then guide me on the road to eternal life,” Psalm 139:23-24.

Let our deepest thanks be to God who gives us the victory through Jesus Christ our “non-critical” LORD.

 

In His Shadow,
~ Mary Lindow ^©

Duplication and sharing of this writing is welcomed as long as complete message and website information for Mary Lindow is included. Thank You!

” THE MESSENGER ” ~ Mary Lindow
www.marylindow.com
Global Prayer Rooms

---

Mary Lindow has a passion for encouraging others – all generations, careers or vocations to live expressing excellence through personal integrity, healthy accountability, and wise management of talents and skills. She’s a sought after keynote, inspirational, humorous speaker and teacher across the USA and internationally in Ministers & Spiritual leaders Conferences, and training seminars for various organizations.

Back to Top