THOSE CRITICAL PEOPLE Aaron and Miriam criticized Moses. Numbers 12:1-8 People criticized Paul for being a bad speaker. 2 Cor. 10:10 Pharisees criticized Jesus for eating with sinners and healing on the Sabbath. Mark 2:16, Luke 13:14 I WILL BE Criticized! It's a given. CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM NEVER IGNORE THE VALUE OF CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. 32 If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself… Proverbs 15:31-32 NLT DEALING WITH UNJUST CRITICISM PRAY! 1) GOD, HELP ME KNOW WHEN TO RESPOND TO CRITICISM. Now the Ephraimites asked Gideon, "Why have you treated us like this?... And they criticized him sharply. 2 But he answered them… Judges 8:1-2 …When the men of Ephraim heard Gideon's answer, they were no longer angry. Judges 8:3 NLT 2) GOD, HELP ME KNOW WHEN TO DISMISS INVALID CRITICISM. 23 When they hurled their insults at [Jesus], he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23 don't become obsessed with what others think about you. don't take offense to criticism from someone that may be hurting and lashing out. Rise above it! You have an important calling from God to let any little thing take you off task. 3) GOD, HELP ME OVERCOME MY OWN CRITICAL NATURE. Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Proverbs 12:18 NLT love others up, don't tear them apart. live in the security of who you are in Christ! TALK IT OVER Share a time when you received constructive criticism. How did you respond to it? What steps do you need to take to put God's opinion of you ahead of other people's opinion? How have you been unjustly critical of others? What will you do to overcome your own critical nature?