How did Jesus cope with criticism?

• Look at Matthew 12v1-14
• Jesus looked to see what the bible teaches
• Jesus looked for the principles to distil from this
• Jesus looked at the motives of his critics, pointing to their inconsistency
• "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2v21-23)
  So
• Look to the bible as your guide to what is right
• Search for the principles in the bible to guide conduct
• Pray rather than respond with emotional outbursts
  • "Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry" (James 1v19)
  • The Psalms give examples of people praying to God when criticised

Justified criticism can be helpful

• "If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise…." (Proverbs 15v31-32)
• "It is better to be criticised by a wise person than to be praised by a fool!" (Ecclesiastes 7v5)

Evaluate criticism – is it constructive or destructive?

• "Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment." (Proverbs 12v18-19)

Repent when you've been wrong

• "God makes people listen to correction and commands them to repent of their evil." (Job 36v10)

When unjustly criticised trust God

• "When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly." (1 Peter 2v23)

God will vindicate the righteous

• "Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait till the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of men's hearts. At that time each will receive his praise from God." (1 Corinthians 4v5)

Criticise rarely & humbly

• "Let those who have never sinned throw the first stone" (John 8v7)
• "Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven." (Luke 6v37)
• "You, therefore, have no excuse, you who pass judgment on someone else, for at whatever point you judge the other, you are condemning yourself, because you who pass judgment do the same things." (Romans 2v1)
• "…. You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother's eye. (Matthew 7v3-5)