How do we react to hostile criticism?

[pioneer]

Be courteous; not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing. â€"1 Peter 3:8-9

How do we react to hostile criticism? If it causes us to strike back angrily at our critics, we need to learn from colonial preacher Jonathan Edwards (1703â€"1758).

Regarded by scholars as an insightful philosopher, Edwards was vindictively attacked by the ruling body of his church in Northampton, Massachusetts. They felt he was wrong to teach that a person needed to be born again before taking part in the Lord’s Supper.

Although he was dismissed from his church, Edwards still maintained a loving and forgiving attitude. One supportive member wrote of him, “I never saw the least symptoms of displeasure in his countenance . . . , but he appeared like a man of God, whose happiness was out of the reach of his enemies.”

Edwards was simply copying the example of the Lord Jesus. When the Savior was insulted, He did not repay with an insult. When He was falsely denounced, He remained silent, “as a sheep before its shearers is silent” (Isa. 53:7).

Do you have an inner peace even when criticized? As you ask the Holy Spirit for His help, you can, as Edwards did, respond in a Christlike way to false accusations or gossip. â€"Vernon C Grounds

For Further Study
How do we know when to keep silent
and when to defend our beliefs?
Read Developing The Art Of Gracious Disagreement

The worst criticism of you can bring out the best in you.

source: www.rbc.org

[Bambi]

It depends upon from whom it comes from.  Personally, it is hard to accept severe-criticism...i am still working for this weakness.
On the otherhand, i stand corrected whatever unpleasant errors been committed but it takes time to deal with it.

[Lorenzo]

I can take constructive criticism on my part--however destructive and severe criticism is unecessary--it doesn't help anyone--only irritates the victim and worsens the relationship.
My advise to anyone who was a victim of extreme criticism is to hold your ground--and keep your chin up.

[hubag bohol]

Thing is, some of us deserve the criticism they receive--and then some.

[islander]

take them as teachable moments.  i can lick my wounds in private.

[hubag bohol]

take them as teachable moments.  i can lick my wounds in private.

As for licking wounds, some deserving targets have the tongue for it. Bwahaha!

[islander]

As for licking wounds, some deserving targets have the tongue for it. Bwahaha!

[hubag bohol]

This tongue is neither long enough nor, apparently, sticky enough to withstand the righteous indignation of oppressed readers.

[islander]

This tongue is neither long enough nor, apparently, sticky enough to withstand the righteous indignation of oppressed readers.

you mean, you can't tell how oppressed this reader is?

[hubag bohol]

you mean, you can't tell how oppressed this reader is?

I mean, oppressors need the long and sticky tongues they already have. As for the oppressed, spatulate ones will do. 

[lindy]

kaabtik gyud basta licking wounds nay hisgutan.

As for licking wounds, some deserving targets have the tongue for it. Bwahaha!

[hubag bohol]

kaabtik gyud basta licking wounds nay hisgutan.

He he, ingon ani jud basta mga manggiluluy-on...

[lindy]

sa imong pagkamanggiloy-on bai murag ubay ubay na gyud ka samad imong nahupay.

He he, ingon ani jud basta mga manggiluluy-on...

[hubag bohol]

sa imong pagkamanggiloy-on bai murag ubay ubay na gyud ka samad imong nahupay.

He he, naa baya tuod grasya ning ingon ta ani. Dili ta kawad-an og angay kaluy-an...