Giving & Receiving Criticism Part Four


Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, So one man sharpens another.

In our previous article, we considered the idea of being willing to be open to the reality that we need help. Because of this, it is good to ask questions on how we can change to do better. It is also wise to be clear in what information we are giving to each other. Speaking ambiguously will not help the hearer in understanding what we are trying to say. Ultimately, we need to be willing to give the benefit of the doubt. We should not rely on emotionalism and our knee-jerk reactions to be our first course of action. These are often blinded and narrow-minded responses that hinders the work of God in our lives.

If everything you are doing so far isn’t working, try adding love in the mix. Love seeks to communicate fully in truth with gentleness and patience. This will help the hearer in swallowing the bitter pill that you may be offering them within your discussion. Additionally, we must not view gentleness and patience as a form of weakness. How would you want someone to correct you? Would you want them to be loving, patient, and gentle? We need to remember that the correction of habits can take time. I have said it before, and I’ll say it again – not all circumstances are the same. Those of us who are not gentle and patient with one another – We need to take a long, hard look in the mirror and ask ourselves how patient God has been with us? If this does not humble your spirit, then you might not be the one who needs to offer criticism for anyone at this point.

When being corrected, do not take a woe is me – pity party – selfish point of view. You are not the only person who is benefiting from the correction. Your correction will be good for others. There are all kinds of way that this is true but consider this truth for a moment – that the grace of God is working in your life through the correction. In all things, we must glorify God. Is this not also true in receiving correction? We need God to be seen in our lives and this cannot be accomplished when we continue to fight against correction. Accepting this reality will guard us from sinful responses to correction.

by Lee Elkins