Critics.

"It is much easier to be critical than to be correct."

-Benjamin Disraeli

"He has a right to criticize who has a heart to help."

-Abraham Lincoln

"If the only way I can make myself look good is to criticize you, something is seriously wrong with me."

-Warren Weirsbe

"You can't clear your own fields while you're counting the rocks on your neighbor's farm."

-Joan Welsh

"If what they are saying about you is true, mend your ways. If it isn't true, forget it, and go on and serve the Lord."

-Harry A. Ironside

"Sticks and stones are only thrown at fruit-bearing trees."

-Forbes

"Whoever stubbornly refuses to accept criticism will suddenly be broken beyond repair."

-Proverbs 29:1 NLT

"Never fear criticism when you're right; never ignore criticism when you're wrong." I don't remember who said it or when I heard it but for many years that has been a favorite quote of mine. Criticism happens! The good news is, criticism only happens when we do something right and when we do something wrong! There's no escaping it.

Life is going to bring out the best and the worst in people: That includes criticism. People who choose wisely understand this and will do their best to minimize the worst and emphasize the best.

We need to know that our motives, actions, plans, goals, and dreams will always be questioned and criticized by some. Even when we are at our best, some people will take offense and criticize. Sometimes those who are the closest to us and those who have known us the longest will lead the pack.

Remember this? "When Jesus had finished telling these stories, he left that part of the country. He returned to Nazareth, his hometown. When he taught there in the synagogue, everyone was astonished and said, 'Where does he get his wisdom and miracles? He's just a carpenter's son, and we know Mary, and his brothers--James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas. All his sisters live right here among us. What makes him so great?' And they were deeply offended and refused to believe him" (Matthew 13:53-57).

Whoa! Talk about being offended and critical . . . and they were his hometown folks!

"Where does he get his wisdom and miracles?" In other words, "There's no way Jesus is that good! Who does he think he is anyway?"

"He's just a carpenter's son . . . " That was a put-down on Jesus and his earthly dad, Joseph.

" . . . we know Mary, . . . " Translation: "She's just a stay-at-home-mom! What could she know?"

" . . . and his brothers . . . All his sisters live right here among us." They are all home-town, somewhat normal kids, go to school with our kids . . . nothing special.

In one stream of criticism the Nazareth hometown folks criticized Jesus, his teaching, his intellect, his parents, his siblings, his dad's occupation, his parents' intelligence, his abilities, and his motives. Boom! Let him have it! And they surely did.

The question is not whether or not we'll be criticized but when, why, how often, and for what. Preachers preach too long or too short. Their preaching is too shallow or too deep. They tell too many stories (Jesus was accused of that by his own disciples.) or too few. Musicians do too many hymns or too many choruses, too few or too many. Sound guys are always too loud and occasionally too soft.

Businessmen are criticized because they make too much money or not enough. They are too aggressive or too timid, too obnoxious or too quiet, too crooked or too honest.

Moms are too busy or too lazy. Some have no kids and some too many. Kids of course are too rowdy or too quiet, too playful or too serious, too smart or too dumb, too childish or too mature . . . it goes on and on and on and on. We need to get critical about criticism, especially the negative kind. Be careful, sometimes it comes disguised as prayer requests.

The real issue, however, is not criticism because we're always going to have people who feel that criticism is their spiritual gift. The real issue is twofold, how will we receive criticism and how will we give it? Another Proverb tells us, "If you ignore criticism, you will end up in poverty and disgrace. If you accept criticism, you will be honored" (13:18). So it is a good thing, when criticism comes our way, to evaluate what has been said and, if necessary, act on it! On the other hand, some criticism, based on who it comes from, should simply be ignored.

"If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself; but if you listen to correction, you grow in understanding" (Proverbs 15:31-32).

There are our two choices regarding criticism: We can ". . . suddenly be broken beyond repair" or we can ". . . be at home among the wise." I'm sure you're thinking just like me, "I would rather be at home among the wise." I'm sure it beats moving in with the dummies!

You gotta live somewhere!

Where?