New Testament Baptist Church

And the men of Ephraim said unto him, Why has thou served us thus, that thou calledst us not, when thou wentest to fight with the Midianites? And they did chide with him sharply. –JUDGES 8:1

Judges 7 shows how Gideon trusted God, went into battle against the Midianites, and achieved a great victory through the Lord’s power. Yet on the heels of such a great miracle, Gideon was criticized. The men of Ephraim were upset that Gideon had not called them to do battle. They questioned his decision and argued his command.

I once read a helpful article on the subject of criticism that offered these four suggestions:

1. Commit the matter instantly to God, asking Him to remove all resentment or counter-criticism on your part and teach you the needed lessons.
2. Remember that we are all great sinners, and that the one who has criticized us does not begin to know the worst about us.
3. If you have made a mistake or committed a sin, humbly and frankly confess it to God and to anyone you may have injured. Even if the criticism is not given with the right motivation or in the right spirit, you can learn from it.
4. Be willing to learn afresh that you are not infallible and that you need God’s grace and wisdom every moment of the day to keep on the straight path.

Criticism is going to come into all our lives. Are you facing some sort of criticism in your life today? Maybe you make a great sacrifice for God or you serve Him tirelessly, yet it seems as if someone always points out the small, petty things that were wrong. Do not be discouraged when you are criticized. Instead, take the four points above and apply them to your life. Then pray and ask God to help you remain faithful in spite of the criticism of others. Die to self so that criticism will not have the wrong effect in your life.

PSALMS 54-56 & ROMANS 3

a daily WORD by PAUL CHAPPELL