Devotion

Constructive Criticism

“If you have no critics, you’ll likely have no success.”                                                                              Malcolm X (African American Muslim Activist and Human Rights Activist) 1925-1965

(James 1:19-20) Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.                                                                                                                                                  

We believe we are good at doing what we are gifted to do. We take pride in our craft when we demonstrate our abilities to others. But then it gets tricky. Without asking, we receive the opinions of other people who do not agree 100% with us. This is a good time to ask God for spiritual discernment. You see, some of our critics will attempt to condemn us because they see something in our work that they envy, and they want to shut it down. However, there will also be those critics who admire our work, and they genuinely want to see us reach our absolute best. Their criticism provides honest and sincere feedback to help elevate us. But we will miss it if we are not careful to discern their comments from the ones that are meant to do us harm. Do you have a skill you feel confident about? Get in the company of people who are willing to undergird you with their sincere critique and encouragement. Being receptive to constructive criticism will help usher you into the potential success that awaits you.