Constructive Criticism
One thing I have never understood is destructive criticism. We all know what it is and what it’s like to have it dealt to us. Why do people find benefit in criticizing without offering a solution to a problem or what they think is something that needs to be changed?
The dictionary defines criticism as “the act of passing judgment as to the merits of anything.” I can understand having criticism for something. I don’t agree with everything everyone ever does. Do you? There will always be people who disagree with you or who you disagree with. People will have differing opinions or beliefs or values about things in life.
But does that give me the grounds to tear them down? If I disagree with someone, does that give me the right or authority to judge them, tear them down, and give them flack for it? No. It doesn’t.
Constructive criticism, on the other hand, is a good thing. If I am going wrong, I would want my brothers to tell me. I want to know where and when I go wrong… but I have a hard time when people criticize without offering a solution to a problem. It’s easy to point the finger and say, “Shame on you for doing that” or “What do you think you’re doing?” Anyone can do that. It’s not hard. But it’s hard to criticize constructively - it’s hard to tell your brother or sister where they are going wrong in a loving and godly way, while offering a solution or another way.
“…constructive criticism is to critique an individual so they will benefit or improve. We frequently see, this especially when adults are teaching children in sports, to increase their knowledge and performance. We also see this in the workplace, when a supervisor is critiquing an employee with the goal in mind to improve their performance or work habits.” - Peace and Healing by Dan Williams
Criticism shouldn’t be a negative word. But why is it? It carries a negative connotation because people love to judge and criticize without offering a better solution to the problem. Criticism is about building someone up and helping them improve upon and benefit from their circumstances.
I Thessalonians 5 talks a lot about this. In verses 9-11, it says, “For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.” You may be thinking, what does that have to do with anything about criticism? In context, God is telling us that we know neither the day or hour of his return. He calls us to live together and in doing so, encourage one another and build each other up. When we live with people (either at home, at college, or wherever), we find that oftentimes there are disagreements that arise. We don’t always agree wholeheartedly with everything the people around us may believe (or at least, I don’t always). But I am still called to live together with them and encourage them and build them up. Disagreeing with or criticizing someone is part of that. If I see someone doing something that I know is wrong, I’m going to tell them. But it’s my call to encourage them and build them up in that by offering a solution or a better way.
Criticism can and should be a good thing. I would encourage you to learn that… and realize that the Bible calls us to build and encourage, not tear down, humiliate, or discourage our brothers and sisters in Christ.
Just a few thoughts.
Published on 23 Feb 2007 at 8:07 am.
3 Comments.
Filed under Real Life Issues, Thoughts.
My mom always used to say, “When you sense a general feeling of guilt, it’s not conviction. When you sense conviction over a particular issue, it’s the leading of the Holy Spirit.”
I think what you’re talking about is the same issue. When we speak to each other, we should try to be loving and specific (like the Holy Spirit…who knows, He may use you to speak into someone’s life) instead of being destructive and unloving (like the devil, who loves to trap us in guilt).
Krista Work '02 on 23 Feb 2007 at 12:31 pm.
Hello Philip. My name is Timothy and I am hoping to go to Covenant in about a year or so. I just wanted to say that I think your blog is great and that you are doing a good thing with it, despite what people may say. Keep it up! Oh, the photography is AWESOME by the way!
Timothy G. on 24 Feb 2007 at 7:24 pm.
yeah, i agree that criticism should be to build us up, but i guess in this world we can never expect that to be the case from everyone; as a christian, i am in a minority, and whilst i would hope my christian brothers and sisters would offer criticism to build me up and lovingly point out my weaknesses, i know that there are others i’ll meet who will criticise just for the sake of critisizing. and then i guess it all comes back to your earlier post on ‘Integrity Above Reputation.’ Jesus said ‘All men will hate you because of me, but remember, the world hated me first.’ I find this a bit of a scary and radical statement, but I suppose it is a warning given in kindness; Jesus experienced unjust criticism his whole life - if we are following him, we can expect similar hostility, whether merited by our behaviour or not. Thanks for raising these issues though Phil, i think constructive criticism and admonishing is a really key skill for all of us to improve at.x
Amy Mulholland on 25 Feb 2007 at 10:39 pm.