On any given Sunday, the preacher may receive several different kinds of remarks about his preaching and ministry.
One brother pulls you aside and thanks you for your bulletin article that encouraged her. After your sermon, several people tell you, “Good job” or “I enjoyed the sermon,” on their way out. However, one person makes a remark that calls attention to the fact that you went a little long in your preaching.
I think most of the feedback we receive about our preaching is positive - because most of our brethren are very kind and appreciate the preacher's efforts. However, sometimes we do receive criticism, perhaps some of it legitimate, perhaps some of it unfair.
How should we handle comments - especially the negative ones?
Be a good listener.
Listen carefully to what the individual has to say. There could be something to what they are saying. Maybe you did preach a little long because you “chased a rabbit” that didn’t really need chasing.
Perhaps they are just complaining because that’s what they like to do - but sometimes there is some truth in what is said.
Remain calm.
Losing control of your emotions will undoubtedly make the situation worse. Keeping yourself under control will actually help you grow from criticism - rather than letting it destroy you.
A man without self-control is like a city broken into and left without walls. (Proverbs 25:28)
Be humble enough to see the benefit of criticism.
Not all criticism is constructive - and not all criticism is correct. But if we are puffed up with pride, we will always brush off criticism as incorrect. Sometimes the person who offers criticism has a point that we should consider.
But this requires us to be humble to see the benefit of criticism.
I’m not perfect when it comes to dealing with criticism - I tend to obsess a bit too much over negative comments, which is another problem we might explore later.
I suppose no one enjoys getting a negative comment or criticism - but there is usually something for us to learn in those situations.
Of course, if the criticism comes because we have taught something from Scripture that the person doesn’t like - hopefully, we are kind to the individual, but “We must obey God rather than men” (Acts 5:29).
What are some other ways you have dealt with negative comments or criticism?