Dealing with Criticism

Notes: Dealing with Criticism
Greg Laurie
Nehemiah: The Rebuilt Life
Sunday, October 29, 2017
Watch it here: https://www.harvest.org/watch-and-listen/watch/dealing-with-criticism

Nehemiah 4:1-4 NKJV
[1] But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. [2] And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, "What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish-stones that are burned?" [3] Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, "Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall." [4] Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity!

1. When you build; you will have to battle.

Proverbs 4:16 NKJV
[16] For they do not sleep unless they have done evil; And their sleep is taken away unless they make someone fall.

2. If you are doing God’s work, you will be roundly criticized.

Matthew 5:10-12 NKJV
[10] Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness' sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. [12] Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.

Blessed was used twice by Jesus in speaking of persecution. Jesus was saying to be happy when you are persecuted.

Many are resentful of your success. 

How do you deal with criticism? 
First, listen to it, as long as you know they have your best interest in mind. 

A successful man can lay a firm foundation with the bricks that were thrown at him.

Don’t let the loudest voices in your life be your critics; let the loudest voice be God.

3.When you are under attack, take it to the Lord in prayer.

Nehemiah 4:4-5 NKJV
[4] Hear, O our God, for we are despised; turn their reproach on their own heads, and give them as plunder to a land of captivity! [5] Do not cover their iniquity, and do not let their sin be blotted out from before You; for they have provoked You to anger before the builders.

Call on the Lord when you are attacked.

When trouble comes your way, call out to God.

1 Peter 5:7 NKJV
[7] casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.

Two things you should always pass onto Jesus: criticism and praise

Nehemiah shows us what to do when fear strikes and we are overwhelmed.

Nehemiah 4:14 NKJV
[14] And I looked, and arose and said to the nobles, to the leaders, and to the rest of the people, "Do not be afraid of them. Remember the Lord, great and awesome, and fight for your brethren, your sons, your daughters, your wives, and your houses."

“REMEMBER THE LORD”

God has been faithful in your past, He is faithful in your present and He will be faithful in your future.

4. Be practical and be prepared.

Nehemiah 4:9 NKJV
[9] Nevertheless we made our prayer to our God, and because of them we set a watch against them day and night.

Plan our work and work our plan.

There is a place for the spiritual and a place for the practical.

David and Goliath is a good example; David prayed and then he took action.

Intensified opposition against God’s Will calls for intensified response.

Sometimes you need a break from your battles.

5. We need to finish what God has called us to with passion and persistence.

Nehemiah 4:6 NKJV
[6] So we built the wall, and the entire wall was joined together up to half its height, for the people had a mind to work.

The critic only wins if you quit.

If you want new things in your life, maybe you need to get rid of the old. 

Whatever it takes to be free from a sin that is dragging you down, do it!

Clear out the rubble and rebuild the wall a brick at a time.

Remember that an oak tree is the result of an acorn that held on...remember just what a nut can do!

The Lord is coming back again. Get ready for it!