For those whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, Romans 8:29 (NASB)
It is said that Christians are the only army in the world that shoots their own soldiers. If you have ever been a person to put your life out on Front Street as a teacher, mentor, counselor or even on a blog like this you may know what I mean.
When you lay it out there, you are going to get blasted from time to time. I do believe that God has a purpose and plan for everything that comes my way in life. It is all for the goal of conforming me to the image and likeness of Christ. So, I sit up and take notice of when someone makes a negative comment to me. However, it does not make it hurt any less.
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, 1 Peter 5:6 (NASB)
I think God uses many avenues to remind us to be humble, including negativity and criticism.
Criticism causes me to check my motives, and to think about being more cautious in what I say and how I say things so as not to poorly represent Jesus Christ. It also leads me to examine my heart in the light of Scripture and brings me back to my dependence on the finished cross-work of Jesus Christ.
There have been so many Christian leaders who have fallen because they stopped being willing to consider criticism and they failed to ask themselves if there was any truth to the negative things that were said about them. Hardness of heart sets them up as being beyond reproach in their own minds and to stop preaching the gospel to themselves. They essentially forget they need the cross as much as the next guy.
I never wish to be such a person, I want to be an authentic Christian, and I believe I am. I am who and what I am by the grace of God and I make no apologies for it." I need the cross. I need God's grace. I need God's mercy because I remain a sinner. I am in progress and not yet perfected.
Being humbled before God means I must evaluate what is said to me about what I say, how I act and how I say things in light of God's truth and His Word. A person would have to be a fool not to do so especially if they wish to serve the Lord.
My response to the silly or malicious criticism of Believers and Unbelievers must be gracious.
The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 (NASB)
May we glorify Him in our humble response to criticism!