Letting Go of Criticism

1 Corinthians 4:1–5 NASB95

1 Let a man regard us in this manner, as servants of Christ and stewards of the mysteries of God. 2 In this case, moreover, it is required of stewards that one be found trustworthy. 3 But to me it is a very small thing that I may be examined by you, or by any human court; in fact, I do not even examine myself. 4 For I am conscious of nothing against myself, yet I am not by this acquitted; but the one who examines me is the Lord. 5 Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, but wait until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of men’s hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God.

I remember my first few days and weeks at Paseo middle school. My father had me and my brother dressed like we were going to corporate america. Some boys in my sixth grade class cracked on me, saying carrying my backpack with clothes on like that was soft. I can remember my pops saying, well you gone just be soft in their eyes. Although I didn’t maintain that style of dress throughout school, I learned to wear whatever I was comfortable wearing irrespective of outside opinions about what or who that made me.

Everyone is subject to criticism in life. In home, school, work, public places, social media, and society at large. It cannot be avoided. What’s most important is how we respond to criticism and how it may or may not shape our lives. The purpose of this message is to encourage us how to let go of criticism.

First, to define criticism, it is the expression of disapproval of someone based on analyzed and perceived faults or mistakes. According to some psychologists, there are 3 types of criticism. Constructive, is intended to build up and perfect. Not talking about that criticism. Another, irrelevant criticism, comes from people who just criticize everything regardless if it addresses the situation. Destructive or Project criticism, an attack, hostile, and there’s something messed up about those people.

Paul, to some degree was under a magnifying glass by the Corinthians. As well as other preachers. They compared them heavily, attaching to one or the others. Causing division. How does Paul deal with it:

Don’t trip off other’s carnal criticisms

Paul first helps them to see how they should view him and Apollos in the first place, and that’s servants of Christ and steward of GOD. And he realizes he needs to be trustworthy before GOD. But then he points out his mindset toward how may criticize him. It’s a personal stance. First examine here means preliminary interrogation leading up to a judicial decision. It is insignificant. They were hyper judgmental or very critical: not faithful, weak, not a good speaker, taking money from church, deceiver, doing brothers wrong, and lacked charisma (or human wisdom style).

Application: People will say all kinda stuff: you ain’t gone be nothing, you are too big or small, look too funny, etc. We must resolve in our own minds, that others opinions are insignificant. They might hurt, especially from folk you love, but they should not control or create a whole new you.

Don’t take self-criticisms too far

What’s something that helps Paul’s mindset. He adds that he doesn’t even scrutinize, examine, or interrogate himself. His point is that he doesn’t overly criticize himself to the point that he anticipates what the final verdict is about his life, ministry, etc. Self-examination is certainly a must, and encouraged. But that’s to get better, not to decide the verdict of your entire life.

Application: One reason we respond wrong to others, is because perhaps we’re too hard on ourselves. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says our hearts are deceitful. Thus we, by ourselves, can’t trust what we think about us, good or bad.

One reason Paul doesn’t focus on judging himself is because of the integrity of his life. There’s nothing in his conscience. - Thus it is important to have a good conscious.

But just because his conscious is bad, doesn’t make him innocent. - This is powerful, because it demonstrates humility. Our conscious can be like an uncalibrated thermometer. Regularly read high (I’m no good, messed up, wrong), or regularly read low (I’m never wrong, on top, arrogant) to self or others criticism. Paul avoids both.

Jesus has the final say

What Paul shows is that all interrogation, opinions, criticisms are unreliable to let rule my life, as if they determine the final verdict. No, Jesus has the correct and final verdict on who I am. After all, he serves the Church and communities, but they are not his master. His only master is Jesus!!!

Application: This is the main point we must embrace, no one but Jesus is worthy.

So Paul draws a contrast between the final day, and temporal days on earth. No one should or can give the final verdict on the moral merit or outcome of anybody. We can only look at outward behavior, and attempt to conclude what’s in one’s heart.

Heart - That’s what Jesus is going to judge. You’re insincere, unfaithful, soft, apathetic to GOD, nasty individual.

Actions - If you know you didn’t do something. Or if something someone says has some truth, but their opinion of it doesn’t align with the truth or wisdom of GOD. Address it, but don’t allow it to run or ruin who you are in Christ. Paul recognized that their opinions were carnal!!!!