Criticism
A proud heart reacts negatively to criticism. It bruises our ego. Often, we respond by microscopically surveying the faults of the criticizers. Yet, we are left speechless when the one offering critical judgment has no faults. Such is the situation with God and His Word.
Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.”
The Word of God pierces us. It cuts open our hearts and exposes our sin. It is intended to do so. It is a “discerner.” The word “discerner” describing God’s Word is originally from the Greek term KRITIKOS meaning “decisive (‘critical’), that is, discriminative, discerner.”
While we may not enjoy criticism, it is a necessary part of growth. Spiritually, we should be willing to take criticism from a God Who is so intimately familiar with us. He created us and has known our character from the beginning. (Acts 17:24- 8) He is our Father and corrects us for our own good because He loves us (Hebrews 12:5-12). He is our Judge and His Word will be the standard of judgment in the last day (John 12:48).
Therefore, our families need the Bible. We need God’s criticism if we expect to live for His purposes. We need His criticism so we might learn to make our Father pleased with His children. We need His criticism so we can stand before Him in the final judgment and know we have done His will in our lives.
Yet, how many react to God’s Word with proud hearts and bruised egos?
We do not like the Christian who uses God’s Word to condemn our sins and we call them “judgmental.” The preacher who steps on our toes and dares to rebuke our sins is being too “nit picky.” The church who stands for the truth is deemed “intolerant” by an immoral society.
Even so, before we make any progress we must embrace the constructive criticism of God. It is not intended to merely injure us. Instead, sometimes we need the spiritual surgery of the Word to repair our wicked hearts. After all, the God who sees those flaws now will see them at the judgment day for “...there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account” (4:13).
Take the criticism of God’s Word and grow from it.
“...our
families
need the Bible.
We need God's
criticism if we
expect to
live
for His purposes.“
March 2009