For John didn’t spend his time eating and drinking, and you say, ‘He’s possessed by a demon.’ 19 The Son of Man, on the other hand, feasts and drinks, and you say, ‘He’s a glutton and a drunkard, and a friend of tax collectors and other sinners!’ But wisdom is shown to be right by its results.” (Matthew 11:18-19 NLT)
John the Baptist lived an unusual life in the wilderness dressing funny and calling people to repent and be baptized. He had critics because he didn't fit into the normal for the Jewish religion of the day.
Jesus came and was an average Jewish person in many ways. He went to dinners, weddings, and ate and drank. So he was labeled a drunkard. He would go to celebrations at tax collectors homes and even talked to a Samaritan woman with a shady past. So he was labeled a friend of sinners. In a religious culture that was about separation for evil, Jesus was called names that where meant to be critical and destructive.
I find comfort in this scripture because if Jesus faced criticism and people attacking him and his character, I know I am not alone. If Jesus the Son of God faced criticism, I figure there must be no one beyond the reach of critics.
Even in Jesus case there was an element of truth in the criticism. He was willing to be at the feast and dinners with questionable people. He was a friend of sinners. These things were true.
Three things I am trying to do with criticism:
1. find the truth and grow in that area of truth
2. remember the motive of the messenger
3. remember that guilt and shame are always tactics of the enemy and not from God
We are all humans who have a strong desire and need in our lives to be loved and accepted. Therefore criticism hurts and we take it personally. That is why it is such a useful tool to discourage us.
Keep praying for wisdom to overcome criticism and some people to encourage to help you overcome the negative!
