7. Listen to the critic who rejoices with you.
Malicious critics are unhappy when things go well for others—often this is driven by irrational envy. They secretly await the misfortune of those they criticize—in fact, the very intent of the malicious critic is to speed along the misfortune. For that’s when they will be proven “right” and they will be validated.
A listen-worthy critic harbors no such malice or ill-will. The gracious critic will genuinely rejoice with you.
Romans 12:15 “Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
8. Listen to the critic who has nothing to gain.
If your critic is selling materials, building a tribe or in any way profiting from the “fight,” just close the door and give the key to the guy with nothing to gain.
Personal agenda makes criticism unreliable. Just ask, “What does my critic have to gain or lose?”
John 15:13 “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
9. Listen to the critic who has a good name.
Some people are known for being pathological critics. Criticism is their “calling.” They live to find and point out the faults of others.
Run as fast as you can from this type of imbalanced person. This “disorder” is extremely contagious and will kill your heart for Jesus and hurt a healthy church.
In contrast, listen to the critic who has a spiritual reputation—a good name of integrity, maturity, wisdom and Spirit-filling.
Psalms 141:5 “Let the righteous smite me; it shall be a kindness: and let him reprove me; it shall be an excellent oil, which shall not break my head.”
