Effective criticism
Monday 22nd October 2018
'If a brother sins against you, go to him privately and confront him with his fault.' Matthew 18:15 TLB
The Bible tells us to 'encourage one another and build each other up' (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV). But sometimes, we do need to point out when someone's going down a wrong path or making decisions that are harming themselves and others. Nobody likes criticism and no one likes to hear the word 'no', but sometimes it's necessary. We just need to ensure that we're saying it in a loving, constructive and sensitive way.
Jesus reminds us that we can point out where others have wronged us, but we should try and resolve it privately before involving anyone else (see Matthew 18:15-17). And we must remember that criticising effectively means avoiding casting judgement. After all, none of us are perfect. Jesus asks: 'Why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own? Should you say, "Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye," when you can't even see because of the board in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother' (Matthew 7:3-5 TLB). Not only do we need to avoid judging others, we also must also be prepared to take a look at ourselves, and allow others to point out where we're going wrong.
If we need to criticise, let's do it effectively with encouragement and care.
So what now? Know someone who's heading down the wrong path? Find time to speak to them in private about it. Pray beforehand that your words would be encouraging and not judgemental.
Monday 22nd October 2018
'If a brother sins against you, go to him privately and confront him with his fault.' Matthew 18:15 TLB
The Bible tells us to 'encourage one another and build each other up' (1 Thessalonians 5:11 NIV). But sometimes, we do need to point out when someone's going down a wrong path or making decisions that are harming themselves and others. Nobody likes criticism and no one likes to hear the word 'no', but sometimes it's necessary. We just need to ensure that we're saying it in a loving, constructive and sensitive way.
Jesus reminds us that we can point out where others have wronged us, but we should try and resolve it privately before involving anyone else (see Matthew 18:15-17). And we must remember that criticising effectively means avoiding casting judgement. After all, none of us are perfect. Jesus asks: 'Why worry about a speck in the eye of a brother when you have a board in your own? Should you say, "Friend, let me help you get that speck out of your eye," when you can't even see because of the board in your own? Hypocrite! First get rid of the board. Then you can see to help your brother' (Matthew 7:3-5 TLB). Not only do we need to avoid judging others, we also must also be prepared to take a look at ourselves, and allow others to point out where we're going wrong.
If we need to criticise, let's do it effectively with encouragement and care.
So what now? Know someone who's heading down the wrong path? Find time to speak to them in private about it. Pray beforehand that your words would be encouraging and not judgemental.
