PRAISE AND CRITICISM – WINDOWS TO THE HEART
It is better to be criticized by a wise person than to be praised by a fool!
•Praise – often reveals what you value most.
•Criticism – often reveals your deepest insecurities.

How can you think of saying, 'Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,' when you can't see past the log in your own eye?
WRONG RESPONSES
1)FIGHT
2)FLIGHT

RIGHT RESPONSES
1) LISTEN.
•When their motive is to help not hurt.
•When the person can help.

If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. If you reject criticism, you only harm yourself…
2) ANSWER.
•When the person is missing information that would change his perception.
•When the person is open to change.

The Ephraimites asked Gideon, ‘Why have you treated us like this?...’ And they criticized him sharply. But he answered them…
WE CAN’T PLEASE ALL PEOPLE,
BUT WE CAN PLEASE GOD!

For we speak as messengers who have been approved by God to be entrusted with the Good News. Our purpose is to please God, not people.
3) DISMISS.
•When the person is characterized by being overly critical.
•When the person is emotionally unhealthy or wounded.
Jesus replied, 'Every plant not planted by my heavenly Father will be rooted up, so ignore them. They are blind guides leading the blind...they will both fall into a ditch.' NLT

Judges 8:1-2, Proverbs 15:31-32, Ecclesiastes 7:5, Matthew 7:4, Matthew 15:13-14 and 1 Thessalonians 2:4