CRITICIZING JESUS

John 7:1-13

CRITICIZING JESUS

MEMORY VERSE: John 7:12: And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

Perhaps you are enduring undeserved criticism.

Never mind.

They criticized Jesus.

Dr. Henry Clay Trumbull and Dr. Charles G. Trumbull, editors of "The Sunday School Times" from 1875 to 1941 gave the following advice to those being criticized by others:

1. Commit the matter instantly to God, asking him to remove all resentment or counter-criticism on our part, and teach us needed lessons.

2. "Consider him that endured such contradiction of sinners against himself, lest ye be wearied and faint in your minds," (Hebrews 12:3), remembering that we ourselves are very great sinners, and that the one who has criticized us does not actually know the worst.

3. Take account of the personal bias of the speaker or writer.

4. Remember that "a soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger" (Proverbs 15:1).

5. If the criticism is true, and we have made a mistake or committed a sin, let us humbly and frankly, confess our sin to Him, and to anyone whom we may have injured.

6. Learn afresh that we are fallible, and that we need His grace and wisdom moment by moment to keep us in the straight path.

7. Then, -- and not until then -- "forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before... press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus" (Philippians 3:13-14).