Responding to criticism well can be one of the greatest challenges there is. But how we respond reveals things about us that God wants us to see. So, how can we respond in ways that allow us to benefit from even the most unfair criticism? And are there ways of responding that can result in God’s discipline?

Today’s Readings:

2 Kings 15 & 16
Psalm 73.21-28
Proverbs 18.20-21
John 21.1-25

How Do You Respond to Criticism?

2 Kings 15 & 16:

The Reign of Uzziah 

Chapter 15 summarizes the reigns of Azariah, also called Uzziah, and his son Jothan. The Scripture says they did what was right in the sight of the Lord in many ways, although both tolerated the idolatrous practices of the people.

But then …  in verse 5 we read:

Then the LORD struck the king, so that he was a leper until the day of his death …

What happened?

The Result of Not Responding to Criticism Well

The parallel passage in 2 Chronicles gives us some insight. After serving the Lord well and seeing God prosper his efforts, Uzziah (Azariah) got puffed up with pride and tried to usurp the priestly role by going into the temple to burn incense on the altar of incense, something only the priest was to do (2 Chron. 26.16). But even then, God didn’t strike him with leprosy until he refused to listen to the High Priest when rebuked. 2 Chron. 26.16-21:

¹⁷ So Azariah the priest went in after him, and with him were eighty priests of the Lord—valiant men. ¹⁸ And they withstood King Uzziah, and said to him, “It is not for you, Uzziah, to burn incense to the Lord, but for the priests, the sons of Aaron, who are consecrated to burn incense. Get out of the sanctuary, for you have trespassed! You shall have no honor from the Lord God.”

¹⁹ Then Uzziah became furious; and he had a censer in his hand to burn incense. And while he was angry with the priests, leprosy broke out on his forehead, before the priests in the house of the Lord, beside the incense altar. ²⁰ And Azariah the chief priest and all the priests looked at him, and there, on his forehead, he was leprous; so they thrust him out of that place. Indeed he also hurried to get out, because the Lord had struck him.

²¹ King Uzziah was a leper until the day of his death. He dwelt in an isolated house, because he was a leper; for he was cut off from the house of the Lord. Then Jotham his son was over the king’s house, judging the people of the land.

When We Are Rebuked, Corrected, or Criticized

This is a great reminder to heed God’s Word and listen to wise counsel. And when we are rebuked, corrected, or criticized, we need to consider it carefully and prayerfully. Even when it seems unfair, we should ask the Lord if there is even a nugget of truth in what was said.

When we refuse to listen, get angry, become defensive, or attack the other person, it reveals more about our own heart than the person correcting us. Even when the criticism is unjustified, God has allowed it for His holy, just, and righteous purposes (2 Sam. 16.9-14). Our responses can reveal pride, anger, and bitterness that God wants us to deal with.

And when we refuse, like any good parent, our Heavenly Father will often turn up the heat.

The Discipline of the Lord

Hebrews 12.5-11 says:

⁵ And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:

“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
⁶ For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”

⁷ If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? ⁸ But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. ⁹ Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? ¹⁰ For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. ¹¹ Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.

May God give us the grace to respond well to His correction. And may He help us to remember that it often comes through the people He has strategically placed in our lives.

You can read more about criticism and the challenges we face when we’re criticized in “Where is God When You’re Attacked Unfairly?”

Today’s Other Readings:

Psalm 73.21-28:

God Our Strength and Portion Forever

I wrote about this entire Psalm a couple of days ago. It’s a powerful prayer of complaint and has a great message for us today. Just click the link to read that post, “When It Seems Wicked People Prosper.”

Proverbs 18.20-21:

The Harvest of Our Words

A man’s stomach shall be satisfied from the fruit of his mouth; from the produce of his lips he shall be filled (v. 20).

Our speech should produce a harvest of blessings. If we seek to speak as Paul instructed in Ephesians 4.29—edifying, timely, and graceful words—it will. But if we gossip, whine, or spew out evil, that speech, too, will create a harvest.

John 21.1-25:

Imperfect Saints

In verses 15-22, Jesus lovingly restored Peter after his denials during the events leading up to the crucifixion. He did so by bringing him to the place of total commitment and surrender to His will, despite the revelation that he would die a martyr’s death.

Peter finally understood that Jesus already knew his heart but loved and commissioned him just the same. What a great encouragement to the rest of us “imperfect” saints!

What about You? Questions to Ponder or Journal:

How do you respond when you’re corrected or rebuked? With humility or in pride and anger?

What kind of harvest are your words producing? Do you need to seek forgiveness from anyone in this area? Do you need to change the way you speak and address problems?

What encouragement can you take from Jesus’ restoration of Peter?

Coming Up:

In the coming days, we’ll talk about the importance of godly friends, the blame game, whether our Christianity could be just a facade, and consider whether we might neglect to pray until it’s the last resort.

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Blessings as you grow in Christ,
Donna ♥

Note about this post:

I began blogging through the Bible in 2012 and have done so every year since then. These posts are the product of many edits and additions throughout those years. Some days I make major changes, other days fewer. 

A while ago, I read Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him about the attributes of God. One is His incomprehensibility. In it, she says, “God is incomprehensible. This does not mean that he is unknowable, but that he is unable to be fully known.”

I have found that to be true each year as I’ve gone back through the Bible. Sometimes I find myself feeling as if a passage just appeared there for the first time. I’m reminded that no matter how many times we read through the Bible, we have only scratched the surface. I hope you feel the same.

Indeed these are the mere edges of His ways,
And how small a whisper we hear of Him!
But the thunder of His power who can understand?” (Job 26.14)

I sometimes LINKUP with these blogs.