How to Handle Criticism and Praise (Proverbs 27:2)
This sermon explores the often-overlooked challenge of navigating both criticism and praise in our lives. It delves into how these powerful responses from others can either foster growth or lead to destruction, depending on our heart's posture.
This sermon explores how to wisely navigate both criticism and praise, recognizing their potential to either build us up or lead to destruction. It emphasizes accepting compliments with humility and redirecting glory to God.
Overview
The sermon begins by establishing criticism and praise as two powerful emotions that profoundly impact our lives. Depending on our response, both have the capacity to either develop or destroy us, with praise potentially being the more destructive if it fosters pride.
The preacher highlights how Satan exploits both, using criticism to demean and praise to elevate us beyond what is right, fostering arrogance. He notes that many people struggle to accept genuine praise, often due to feelings of unworthiness, guilt, or past emotional damage, making a compliment feel like pouring iodine into a wound.
Practical advice for handling praise includes simply saying "Thank you" without unnecessary explanations. Further steps involve discerning the character or motivation of the person giving the praise and sharing how their encouragement affects you.
Ultimately, the sermon advises to "deflect and redirect" praise by silently thanking God and sharing credit with others who contributed. Handling both criticism and praise in a godly fashion is presented as a vital way for believers to grow in Christ's likeness and become godly individuals.
Key points
- Both criticism and praise are powerful emotions that can either develop or destroy us, depending on our response.
- Praise can be particularly destructive if it leads to pride, self-centeredness, and arrogance.
- Satan exploits criticism to tear down and praise to falsely elevate individuals, fostering ungodly pride.
- Many struggle to accept genuine praise due to underlying feelings of unworthiness, guilt, or past emotional hurts.
- The first step in handling praise is to simply say "Thank you very much," without explaining or excusing it.
- Wise responses to praise involve discerning the giver's motivation, sharing how their words encourage you, and deflecting/redirecting praise to God and others who contributed.
- When handled correctly, both criticism and praise serve as growing elements that help believers mature into Christ's likeness.
In Charles Stanley's words
“If you and I respond in the right way to criticism, it'll develop us. If we respond in the wrong way, it can destroy us. So, it is also with praise.”
“A man is tested by the praise accorded him.”
“I'm going to give you two words. Deflect and redirect.”
Outline
- I. The Power of Criticism and Praise
- A. Both are powerful emotions with significant effects.
- B. Correct response leads to development; incorrect response leads to destruction.
- C. Praise can be more destructive, leading to pride before a fall.
- II. Satan's Exploitation of Criticism and Praise
- A. Uses criticism to demean and suggest unworthiness.
- B. Uses praise to elevate, fostering arrogance and self-importance.
- III. The Challenge of Accepting Praise
- A. Many struggle to accept genuine compliments.
- B. Inability to accept praise often stems from feelings of unworthiness, guilt, or past damage.
- C. Life is about relationships and learning to communicate and listen.
- IV. God's Perspective on Praise
- A. God praises us for doing the right thing, acknowledging His work through us.
- B. Rewards in heaven are a form of praise ("Well done, thou good and faithful servant").
- C. Proverbs: "A man is tested by the praise accorded him."
- D. Some people cannot handle praise; it goes to their head, not their heart.
- E. We are not to do things to be "men pleasers" (Colossians 3).
- F. Learning to eliminate dependence on human approval is crucial for obedience to God.
- V. How to Wisely Handle Praise
- A. First, simply say: "Thank you very much. I certainly do appreciate that."
- B. Second, look for the character quality or motivation in the person giving praise.
- C. Third, share how their praise affects you (e.g., "that really encourages me").
- D. Fourth, Deflect and Redirect.
- 1. Silently whisper "Thank you, Father" to acknowledge God's role.
- 2. Share the praise with others who contributed, building their self-esteem.
- VI. Conclusion: Both Criticism and Praise are Growing Elements
- A. Learning to handle both enables growth into Christ's likeness.
- B. God uses both to make us godly men and women.
Scripture references
22 Without counsel purposes are disappointed: but in the multitude of counsellors they are established.
2 Let another man praise thee, and not thine own mouth; a stranger, and not thine own lips.
1 If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God.
2 Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.
Insights
Both praise and criticism hold potential for our growth or our undoing.
True worth is often hidden from those who struggle with praise.
Genuine praise can build others up when it is properly shared.
Questions & answers
What is the primary danger associated with praise?
The primary danger with praise is that if not handled correctly, it can lead to pride, self-centeredness, and arrogance, ultimately causing destruction in a person's life.
Why do some individuals find it difficult to accept genuine compliments?
Many people struggle to accept genuine praise because of underlying feelings of unworthiness, guilt from past actions, or emotional damage that makes them believe they don't deserve it.
How does the sermon suggest we respond to praise initially?
The sermon suggests that the first and most important response to praise is to simply say, "Well, thank you very much. I certainly do appreciate that," without offering excuses or lengthy explanations.
What does the preacher mean by 'deflect and redirect' praise?
To 'deflect and redirect' praise means to internally acknowledge God's role by silently thanking Him, and externally, to share credit with others who contributed, thereby validating their value.
How can learning to handle criticism and praise benefit a Christian?
Learning to handle both criticism and praise in a godly manner are considered growing elements in the Christian life. They enable individuals to mature into Christ's likeness and become godly men and women.
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Source
Unofficial AI summary for study purposes. Watch the full sermon on In Touch Ministries. Sermon Insights is not affiliated with or endorsed by the pastor or church.