Bible Study K.P. Yohannan: Overcoming Criticism in the Body of Christ

[Greg Gordon]

Criticism is a great danger in the Church in our day where many are even thinking they are doing God a favour by being critical against others. K.P. Yohannan shares ways we can overcome criticism that is directed towards us and understand why people do these things so we can have empathy and compassion for them. Currently we are featuring on SermonIndex.net a sermon on Bitterness by K.P. Yohannan which goes into detail of why believers end up acting in these ways. Only with God’s help through forgiveness can we be freed of this sin and start to live in a way where we bless and not condemn others.

Read below what K.P. Yohannan says about Criticism:

—

In our world, it seems impossible to escape criticism. If we do poorly at school or at work, people will criticize us. Should we do well and excel in business, we still face criticism from people who are jealous of our success. It seems to be a favorite pastime of the human race to take one person after another, good or bad, and “skin them alive” with criticism.

What makes people act this way? Psychologists say one of the underlying reasons people criticize each other is to take revenge for the hurts they once received. Whether deserved or not, criticism is always painful. No one likes it. Yet people seem to enjoy themselves when others are cut down.

Most believers have accepted the fact that the world will criticize us regardless of how saintly we may live or how many charitable contributions we may make. However, I have found that the greatest shock and discouragement for believers come when they realize that they encounter this same heartless criticism from their brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. Of course, God never meant this to happen. But many Christians have never allowed the Lord to cleanse their lives from this destructive behavior. It’s a very serious problem; and if it is not dealt with, it easily can destroy a church.

Imagine this: Jesus, the sinless Son of God, faced His worst criticism—not from the Roman government or from ungodly people—but from the most recognized and pious religious leaders of His nation. Paul experienced the same thing. His worst critics were people inside the Church, not the heathen he tried to win. In fact, he deals very thoroughly with this problem in his second letter to the church in Corinth.

Whether criticism comes from the world or from within the Church, it is important for us to know how we should respond to it.

Here are a few ways to Overcome:

1. Not To Pay Back - The Bible clearly instructs us in Romans 12:17 not to pay back evil for evil, which means we must not lash out and respond in anger in the same manner we were treated.

2. Maintain Love - On the contrary, God wants us to respond differently. We are to maintain our love for the brothers and trust the Lord to handle our defence. Only if we do this will the cycle of destructive criticism be broken.

3. Say No to Discouragement - The feelings of deep hurt and discouragement that follow criticism can easily bring us to a point of despair, giving up our calling or even suicide. In no way must we allow this to happen! If we give in, the enemy has reached his goal of stopping us from building God’s kingdom.

4. Look Objectively - The best we can do when we receive criticism is to look at it objectively. If the accusations are simply empty talk, we should dismiss them and by God’s grace go on with our life.

5. Be Willing to Change - Lastly, On the other hand, if there is any truth in the criticism, let us be willing to change, improve and grow in that area.

 

[dirtfarmer]

Criticism is a great danger in the Church in our day where many are even thinking they are doing God a favour by being critical against others. K.P. Yohannan shares ways we can overcome criticism that is directed towards us and understand why people do these things so we can have empathy and compassion for them. Currently we are featuring on SermonIndex.net a sermon on Bitterness by K.P. Yohannan which goes into detail of why believers end up acting in these ways. Only with God’s help through forgiveness can we be freed of this sin and start to live in a way where we bless and not condemn others.

Read below what K.P. Yohannan says about Criticism:

—

In our world, it seems impossible to escape criticism. If we do poorly at school or at work, people will criticize us. Should we do well and excel in business, we still face criticism from people who are jealous of our success. It seems to be a favorite pastime of the human race to take one person after another, good or bad, and “skin them alive” with criticism.

What makes people act this way? Psychologists say one of the underlying reasons people criticize each other is to take revenge for the hurts they once received. Whether deserved or not, criticism is always painful. No one likes it. Yet people seem to enjoy themselves when others are cut down.

Most believers have accepted the fact that the world will criticize us regardless of how saintly we may live or how many charitable contributions we may make. However, I have found that the greatest shock and discouragement for believers come when they realize that they encounter this same heartless criticism from their brothers and sisters in the Body of Christ. Of course, God never meant this to happen. But many Christians have never allowed the Lord to cleanse their lives from this destructive behavior. It’s a very serious problem; and if it is not dealt with, it easily can destroy a church.

Imagine this: Jesus, the sinless Son of God, faced His worst criticism—not from the Roman government or from ungodly people—but from the most recognized and pious religious leaders of His nation. Paul experienced the same thing. His worst critics were people inside the Church, not the heathen he tried to win. In fact, he deals very thoroughly with this problem in his second letter to the church in Corinth.

Whether criticism comes from the world or from within the Church, it is important for us to know how we should respond to it.

Here are a few ways to Overcome:

1. Not To Pay Back - The Bible clearly instructs us in Romans 12:17 not to pay back evil for evil, which means we must not lash out and respond in anger in the same manner we were treated.

2. Maintain Love - On the contrary, God wants us to respond differently. We are to maintain our love for the brothers and trust the Lord to handle our defence. Only if we do this will the cycle of destructive criticism be broken.

3. Say No to Discouragement - The feelings of deep hurt and discouragement that follow criticism can easily bring us to a point of despair, giving up our calling or even suicide. In no way must we allow this to happen! If we give in, the enemy has reached his goal of stopping us from building God’s kingdom.

4. Look Objectively - The best we can do when we receive criticism is to look at it objectively. If the accusations are simply empty talk, we should dismiss them and by God’s grace go on with our life.

5. Be Willing to Change - Lastly, On the other hand, if there is any truth in the criticism, let us be willing to change, improve and grow in that area.

Hello Greg Gordon, dirtfarmer here

Very good post. One that we all should read and adhere to. One scripture that I try to make part of my life is Romans 14:4," Who art thou that judgest another man's servant? to his own master he standeth or falleth, Yea, he shall be holden up: for God is able to make him stand."

 

[Chopper]

Thank you for this very important message from K.P. Yohannan. Greg, it appears to me that you receive a nudging from Jesus Himself a message of vital importance for Jesus' Church today. It really grieves my heart to view the ungodliness of criticism spewed out by ungodless so called believers in Christ.

It is high time for Pastors to preach the Word of God, the whole counsel, which includes what you have presented. The inspired Book of James would be a good place to start.

Thanks again Brother Greg, Keep this up....Isaiah 58:1 "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression."

As a bond servant to our Lord Jesus Christ, I applaud your boldness to step out of tickling ears to shewing God's Church their sins, BRAVO!!

 

[Nathan]

Thank you for this very important message from K.P. Yohannan. Greg, it appears to me that you receive a nudging from Jesus Himself a message of vital importance for Jesus' Church today. It really grieves my heart to view the ungodliness of criticism spewed out by ungodless so called believers in Christ.

It is high time for Pastors to preach the Word of God, the whole counsel, which includes what you have presented. The inspired Book of James would be a good place to start.

Thanks again Brother Greg, Keep this up....Isaiah 58:1 "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and shew my people their transgression."

As a bond servant to our Lord Jesus Christ, I applaud your boldness to step out of tickling ears to shewing God's Church their sins, BRAVO!!

Chopper you make a point that is 'overlooked' and not presented in the OP, but is crucial.

Jesus said this -

Mat 7:15-18
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Sometimes we think that all analytical judgment of faults seen by others is criticism. However, it is only when those judgmental analysis do not 'do' anything but condemn a person.

On the other hand, we know that some 'criticism' is good - but only if it is 'right' judgement. ALL other judgment is actually evil and carries with it a stiff penalty.

How do we know the difference? Does knowing the difference make a difference? Glad you asked those questions.

We know the difference by the fruit. Fruit meaning - what is the 'outcome' supposed to be of the criticism you receive? Bad tree's(ungodly) judgment will always produce rotten fruit. Good tree's(Godly) judgment will always produce good fruit.

Knowing the difference is crucial because you should listen to Godly judgement, but you should never listen to ungodly judgment.

Whats the true difference between good and bad fruit? One sustains 'life', the other does not. In other words, one points to Christ - the other points to the world.

Case in point -

Rom 2:1-3
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

Most criticism comes when people are trying to actually 'help'(strange as it seems) another 'be good'. The focus is on the outside, the 'dead' part of us. The Pharisees were proficient at this. Their focus was on what people did, not who they were.

Godly judgment, which is very much needed inside the body of Christ(we will judge the angels one day), always focuses on the true nature - the inside of a man. The focus is always pointed toward God - the true and only Judge.

When we judge a person based on their 'sin', is it because we do not like it - or is it based on our desire for them to become more Christ like?

When we don't judge a person in 'sin', is it because we are 'ok' with it(because then it is ok for us too) - or is it because we know that Christ is in them working on them?

Not judging rightly is as bad as judging wrongly. Does that mean we just do not judge at all? Honestly, for some it is wise. However, when we are called to rightly judge, we should do it - and when we are rightly judged by others, we should accept it.

We can know this by the fruit of what it produces. Is the judgement based on the world and everything in it that will pass away - or is it based on the things of God and that which will continue on into eternity? Unrighteous fruit or righteous fruit.

 

[Chopper]

Chopper you make a point that is 'overlooked' and not presented in the OP, but is crucial.

Jesus said this -

Mat 7:15-18
“Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit.

Sometimes we think that all analytical judgment of faults seen by others is criticism. However, it is only when those judgmental analysis do not 'do' anything but condemn a person.

On the other hand, we know that some 'criticism' is good - but only if it is 'right' judgement. ALL other judgment is actually evil and carries with it a stiff penalty.

How do we know the difference? Does knowing the difference make a difference? Glad you asked those questions.

We know the difference by the fruit. Fruit meaning - what is the 'outcome' supposed to be of the criticism you receive? Bad tree's(ungodly) judgment will always produce rotten fruit. Good tree's(Godly) judgment will always produce good fruit.

Knowing the difference is crucial because you should listen to Godly judgement, but you should never listen to ungodly judgment.

Whats the true difference between good and bad fruit? One sustains 'life', the other does not. In other words, one points to Christ - the other points to the world.

Case in point -

Rom 2:1-3
Therefore you have no excuse, O man, every one of you who judges. For in passing judgment on another you condemn yourself, because you, the judge, practice the very same things. We know that the judgment of God rightly falls on those who practice such things. Do you suppose, O man—you who judge those who practice such things and yet do them yourself—that you will escape the judgment of God?

Most criticism comes when people are trying to actually 'help'(strange as it seems) another 'be good'. The focus is on the outside, the 'dead' part of us. The Pharisees were proficient at this. Their focus was on what people did, not who they were.

Godly judgment, which is very much needed inside the body of Christ(we will judge the angels one day), always focuses on the true nature - the inside of a man. The focus is always pointed toward God - the true and only Judge.

When we judge a person based on their 'sin', is it because we do not like it - or is it based on our desire for them to become more Christ like?

When we don't judge a person in 'sin', is it because we are 'ok' with it(because then it is ok for us too) - or is it because we know that Christ is in them working on them?

Not judging rightly is as bad as judging wrongly. Does that mean we just do not judge at all? Honestly, for some it is wise. However, when we are called to rightly judge, we should do it - and when we are rightly judged by others, we should accept it.

We can know this by the fruit of what it produces. Is the judgement based on the world and everything in it that will pass away - or is it based on the things of God and that which will continue on into eternity? Unrighteous fruit or righteous fruit.

Please excuse me Nathan but I'm not seeing your point. You've said a lot of words but there is no one centered in your statements. Are you saying that K.P. Yohannan is the guilty one? Just who is in your cross hair?

 

[Nathan]

Please excuse me Nathan but I'm not seeing your point. You've said a lot of words but there is no one centered in your statements. Are you saying that K.P. Yohannan is the guilty one? Just who is in your cross hair?

Interesting. I have no one in my cross hair, and am certainly not assigning guilt. I am not sure how to take this post of yours, but I'll respond the best way I know how.

In your first post, you simply made a comment that started a thought process.

It really grieves my heart to view the ungodliness of criticism spewed out by ungodless so called believers in Christ.

K.P. did not qualify the criticism of people as being from believers or un-believers - just those in the church and outside the church. Your statement was such that it made the distinction(maybe unknown to you) that ungodly criticism comes from those who are not in Christ. Those in Christ will not give ungodly criticism, K.P. seemed to focus more on how criticism affects us - but not so much on how it actually shows others for who they are.

Part of my point was that sometimes we are sensitive to others criticism of us, but when we see it for what it really is - sympathy should overwhelm us for their state.

Its a focus on Christ, not us. Being hurt by criticism is a completely fleshly sign, but when it provokes love and compassion we find Christ working through us.

We can know if good criticism is for us by what it is pointing toward - Christ.

We can know bad criticism toward us by what it is pointing toward - things of the flesh.

Criticism is simply 'judgement' (on a higher scale) and there is right judgment. We should know what right criticism is, and be able to distinguish it from wrong criticism. Rightly criticizing is not ungodly - and often is used by Him to discipline His children.