Ever been in a situation with someone who will not entertain any form of constructive criticism? Perhaps they are defensive and closed to what you want to say? Is this a right posture? Or is there a place for criticism? David Powlison has some interesting thoughts on this topic:
Christ uses critics to guard our souls from self-destructive tendencies. We gain ears to listen to others when we gain ears to listen to Him….Critics, like governing authorities, are servants of God to you for good (Rom. 13:4). He who sees into hearts uses critics to help us see things in ourselves: outright failings of faith and practice, distorted emphases, blind spots, areas of neglect, attitudes and actions contradictory to stated commitments, and, yes, strengths and significant contributions. God uses critics to help us. Even if I think that a criticism is mistaken, I shouldn’t leap too quickly to the defense. Is there something I am doing or saying (or not doing and not saying) that makes that particular misinterpretation plausible? Do I leave implicit or understated something that needs to be made explicit? Does my attitude or tone or way of treating people send a mixed message? Am I not answering some important question that this person is asking? Am I not addressing some important problem that this person cares about? In my experience, the answer to these questions is usually Yes.
Let’s commit to starting candid, constructive conversations, and let’s keep them going. I need your questions and criticisms, and you need mine. This has something to do with all that talk in the Bible about ‘one another,’ and ‘different gifts distributed by the Spirit,’ and ‘growing up,’ and the ‘body of Christ,’ and ‘every nation, tribe, tongue, and people,’ and ‘the sons of Issachar understood the times,’ and ‘speaking the truth in love we grow up into Him.’ The Lord’s sovereign eye is on every impulse of every heart.
Powlison has written a wonderful article on this topic called The Cross and Criticism, which you can download HERE. I highly recommend it.
– David Powlison, from the article “Does the Shoe Fit?”
Deus Tecum 