PERSONAL WALK: Receiving Criticism 2

Not Everything That Tastes Bad Is Bad For You!

 

“When you can receive correction and reproof . . , and can humbly submit inwardly as well as outwardly, finding no rebellion or resentment rising up within your heart, you are dying to flesh.”

(Helen Trowbridge)

(Transcribed   fron “Drop Dead”, a sermon, August, 2001, in Blue Mountain, PA)

 

Our dear Helen (see above) has raised another issue.  Suppose you are being reproved or corrected by someone who has actually found a fault in you.   A husband, co-worker, supervisor, friend, or ministry leader confronts you with a critical comment or describes an offence you have committed.   This has a bad taste and we don’t like it.  Our natural response is to become self-protective, defending, excusing, or explaining ourselves.  We may even become angry, hostile, or combative.  The dead give-away here is the word ‘self’.   The part of our selves that shows up in these situations is the part that is supposed to die, at our own hands, once we give our lives to Jesus Christ. 

 

Colossians 3:5a, 8-9 Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature . . ..  But now you must rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices. (NIV)

 

Ephesians 4:31-32 Get rid of all bitterness, rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice. Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.(NIV)

 

This battle with our flesh continues in some form until the day we die.  What you have done before to occasion such criticism or correction is not nearly as important as what you do next.  If you are being transformed, rather than conformed to the standard of this world, my suggestion is the same as before.  “Take it for what it’s worth.”  You may, in fact, be blameless.  (Remember: Most of us have as much trouble being right as we have being wrong.)  You may owe this person thanks for revealing not only your shortcoming, but your response which needs the transforming power of the Holy Spirit so that that part of your earthly nature can DIE!

 

[Warning: Comments in this series may not sit well with you at first.  My recommendation: Take them for what they are worth.  Perhaps it will all taste better the second time you read it.  (Smile)]