Good Criticism?

Listen – I know all about the benefits of criticism.

I get it. I get that you’re supposed to learn from it and grow through it.

But I’m tired of people – specially Christians – using criticism to fix other people’s problems while neglecting to look in the mirror at their own selves instead.

Over the last few days I have been forwarded some very harsh blogs and comments in criticism of a dear friend of mine. As I reflect over the things that have been written about my friend, I feel sick – I mean literally sick about it. I find the criticism ignorant and misdirected, and in one case, anonymous.

I just don’t get it.

I realize that you are entitled to your own opinion. I am thankful that we live in a free county where we have a voice we can use freely. I am quite aware of the public and accessible nature of social media that has made it immensely easy for anyone to speak up. But what concerns me is that somewhere along the line we have forgotten a basic element of human nature: kindness.

I wish I could say that Christians were exceptions to the criticism rule, but they are sadly often at the forefront of this movement. Maybe you’re really bothered by a specific issue. Maybe you’re dying to tell the world how things ought to be instead of how they are. Maybe you’re even correct in your reasoning on the issue and you think you can fix the problem by speaking up against it. You are wrong. You are not going to fix the problem by publicly and anonymously criticizing someone. Oh, yes, you may create a stir, and increase your analytics for a day, but you are not going to fix the problem by using big words on anonymous posts.

Instead, can I beg you to consider these 4 questions when you decide to publicly and openly criticize someone?

1. Will it glorify Jesus Christ?

2. Will it benefit the body of Christ?

3. Is there a better way to handle it?

4. Does it really matter in the long run?

I know that those who work in the public eye knowingly expose themselves to criticism. I know that pastors, and politicians, and public speakers, and bloggers expose themselves to attack every time they open their mouths. I get that.

But don’t you think you should let God be the judge for a change?

Don’t you think there is enough criticism out there without adding yours to it?

I may not have felt the brunt of other people’s criticism yet, but I’m sure the day will come. For today, suffice it to say that I have seen some bullying going around and I don’t like it.

I may not know much, but it seems to me that instead of criticizing others, we should be praying for them instead. Prayer is a much more powerful tool for change than criticism ever will be.

But what do I know? I’m just a girl with an opinion – meant to be shared kindly.

Related posts: