(Proverbs 14:35 KJV) The king's favour is toward a wise servant: but his wrath is against him that causeth shame.
Have you ever asked yourself if they really do understand? Maybe they are right. Maybe you were wrong. Maybe you did deserve the criticism you received. I ask that because I could easily substitute “I” for “you.” I must confess, I am not always the one who is a "wise servant" (acts wisely NASB) (7919a).
Of course we all like “favor” (7522) more than “wrath" (anger NASB) (5678), but there are times when we deserve both. I tend to reject both criticism and praise, at least on the surface. Usually they don’t know enough about what they are talking about for me to worry about their negative comments. On the other hand, I am a bit cynical about people’s motives and taste when they tell me I have done well.
So? I know I need to give more attention to positive and negative criticism. I can learn from both. Are you in the same boat?
Sunday, July 14, 2013
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2 comments:
I've become more introspective since I accepted the Lord many years ago, and question my own motives frquently. I believe you do likewise. When a person is concerned with what God thinks, they're less inclined to do or say things that truly deserve criticism. Therefore, when people DO criticise, they are as suspect as we are, perhaps more so. unfortunately, they aren't ALWAYS wrong. :-)
It is important to be open to criticism but at the same time being right, and knowing you are right, is often called being arrogant. Again you are spot on.
Grace and peace.
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