Contending with Criticism (Chantilly)

“Once in a golden hour
I cast to earth a seed.
Up there came a flower,
The people said, a weed.”

– Alfred Lord Tennyson

“Any fool can criticize, complain, and condemn—and most fools do. But it takes character and self-control to be understanding and forgiving.” – Dale Carnegie

Criticism in Inevitable (Be prepared)

2 Corinthians 10:1 CSB – Now I, Paul, myself, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who am humble among you in person but bold toward you when absent.

2 Corinthians 10:8 CSB – For if I boast a little too much about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down, I will not be put to shame.

2 Corinthians 10:10 CSB – For it is said, “His letters are weighty and powerful, but his physical presence is weak and his public speaking amounts to nothing.”

Understand Why Criticism Hurts Deeply

Criticism hurts when it comes from unexpected sources

Proverbs 27:6 CSB – The wounds of a friend are trustworthy,
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive.

Criticism hurts when it hits where we are vulnerable

2 Samuel 16:11-12 CSB – Leave him alone; let him curse, for the Lord has told him to. ¹² It may be that the Lord will look upon my misery and restore to me his covenant blessing instead of his curse today.”

Criticism hurts when it is the reward for doing good

“You have enemies? Good. That means you’ve stood up for something, sometime in your life.” – Winston Churchill

Luke 6:26 CSB – Jesus said, Woe to you when all people speak well of you,
for this is the way their ancestors used to treat the false prophets.

1 Peter 4:12-14 CSB – Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. ¹³ Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.¹⁴ If you are ridiculed for the name of Christ, you are blessed…

Warning: When Criticized, Do Not Respond in the “Lower Story”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 CSB – For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, ⁴ since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds.

“The Flesh” (“Lower Story” weapons): Worldly Power.  Deception.

John 8:31-32 CSB – Jesus says, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. ³² You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

Of Satan, Jesus says, John 8:44, there is no truth in him. When he tells a lie, he speaks from his own nature, because he is a liar and the father of lies.

Jeremiah 7:28 CSB – Truth has perished—it has disappeared from their mouths.

When criticized, sometimes the best response is no response

Luke 6:29 CSB – If anyone hits you on the cheek, offer the other also. And if anyone takes away your coat, don’t hold back your shirt either.

Exodus 14:13-14 CSB – But Moses said to the people, “Don’t be afraid. Stand firm and see the Lord’s salvation that he will accomplish for you today;… ¹⁴ The Lord will fight for you, and you must be quiet.”

Proverbs 21:31 CSB – A horse is prepared for the day of battle,
but victory comes from the Lord.

John 18:11 CSB – Jesus said to Peter, “Put your sword away! Am I not to drink the cup the Father has given me?”

2 Corinthians 10:3-4 CSB – For although we live in the flesh, we do not wage war according to the flesh, ⁴ since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds….

Romans 8:37 CSB – in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

1 Corinthians 15:57 CSB – But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ!

Upper Story People Respond with Upper Story Weapons

2 Corinthians 10:3, 4b-6 CSB – …we do not wage war according to the flesh.

…We demolish arguments ⁵ and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. ⁶ And we are ready to punish any disobedience, once your obedience is complete.

Upper Story Weapon: Truth of Scripture

v.5, we take every thought captive to obey Christ.

Hebrews 4:12 CSB – For the word of God is living and effective and sharper than any double-edged sword, penetrating as far as the separation of soul and spirit, joints and marrow. It is able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

2 Corinthians 10:12 CSB – For we don’t dare classify or compare ourselves with some who commend themselves. But in measuring themselves by themselves and comparing themselves to themselves, they lack understanding.

John 8:31-32 CSB – Jesus says, “If you continue in my word, you really are my disciples. ³² You will know the truth, and the truth will set you free.”

“Yes, at first it will not be fair. Someone will have to temporarily lose his job.

For the young who seek to live by truth, this will at first severely complicate life, for their tests and quizzes, too, are stuffed with lies, and so choices will have to be made. But there is no loophole left for anyone who seeks to be honest: Not even for a day, not even in the safest technical occupations can he avoid even a single one of the listed choices—to be made in favor of either truth or lies, in favor of spiritual independence or spiritual servility. And as for him who lacks the courage to defend even his own soul: Let him not brag of his progressive views, boast of his status as an academician or a recognized artist, a distinguished citizen or general. Let him say to himself plainly: I am cattle, I am a coward, I seek only warmth and to eat my fill.” – Alexander Solzhenitsyn

2 Corinthians 10:4b-6 CSB – We demolish arguments ⁵ and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. ⁶ And we are ready to punish any disobedience

Ephesians 6:10, 14 CSB – be strengthened by the Lord and by his vast strength.

Stand, therefore, with truth like a belt around your waist

Upper Story Weapon: The Holy Spirit and Prayer

2 Corinthians 10:4 CSB – since the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh, but are powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds

Ephesians 6:18 CSB – Pray at all times in the Spirit with every prayer and request, and stay alert

The Holy Spirit will….

• Teach us what we need to survive in the world. (John 14:26)
• Fill our hearts with God’s love for the fight (Romans 5:5)
• When we struggle to pray, pray on our behalf (Romans 8:13)
• When we need words, give us the words (Matthew 10:20)
• When we struggle with temptation, strengthen us to defeat the flesh (Romans 8:13)
• When we feel weak, give inner strength (Ephesians 3:16)
• Before we enter the battle, give gifts to win (1 Corinthians 12:4)
• When threatened by division, unite us with other believers (1 Corinthians 12:13)
• When the battle is over, will raise us from the dead (Romans 8:11)

2 Corinthians 10:4b-6 CSB – We demolish arguments ⁵ and every proud thing that is raised up against the knowledge of God, and we take every thought captive to obey Christ. ⁶ And we are ready to punish any disobedience

2 Corinthians 10:8b CSB – our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for tearing you down

Upper Story People Keep Eyes on the Goal: Make Disciples

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2 Corinthians 10:16-18 CSB – ….[our goal] that we may preach the gospel to the regions beyond you without boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry. ¹⁷ So let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord. ¹⁸ For it is not the one commending himself who is approved, but the one the Lord commends.