Finding Strength Amidst Criticism: Paul's Example

 

Summary

In 2 Corinthians 5:11-13, we find profound encouragement for those who feel disheartened by criticism and misunderstanding. Life's challenges often lead us to lose heart, especially when faced with harsh judgments, unfair criticism, or when our motives are questioned. This passage speaks directly to those who have been loyal to difficult tasks or relationships, only to feel unappreciated or misunderstood. Paul, in his letter to the Corinthians, opens his heart more than in any other of his writings, revealing the depth of his love for the believers in Corinth and the pain of their criticism.

Paul's experience in Corinth was marked by deep love and sacrifice. He risked his life to bring the gospel to them, led many to Christ, and tirelessly worked for their spiritual growth. Yet, despite his efforts, some in Corinth became critical of him, questioning his reliability, effectiveness, and even his mental state. This criticism was not only painful but also unjust, given Paul's dedication and love for them.

The root of this criticism often lies in the influence of others. Paul warns against the sin of slander and the danger of associating with those who have a critical spirit. Such associations can lead to a loss of God's blessing, as negativity and cynicism are contagious. Instead, we are called to make the kindest possible judgments about others, reflecting the spirit of Christ, who always sees the best in us.

Paul's response to criticism is a model for us. He maintained a clear conscience, found peace in knowing that God knew his heart, and drew strength from the love of Christ. Despite the barrage of criticism, Paul did not retaliate or lose heart. Instead, he focused on living with integrity and trusting in God's knowledge of his true character.

In our struggles, we are reminded to consider Christ, who endured far greater hostility and yet remained steadfast in love. By focusing on His example, we gain perspective on our own challenges and find the strength to persevere without losing heart.

Key Takeaways:

- Maintain a Clear Conscience: A clear conscience means not being aware of any controversy between you and God. It involves confessing known sins and living in peace with God, which is crucial when facing criticism. [33:45]

- Find Peace in God's Knowledge: Knowing that God understands your heart provides comfort amidst criticism. When others misunderstand or misjudge you, remember that God sees your true intentions and character. [36:23]

- Avoid the Company of Scoffers: Associating with those who have a critical spirit can lead to a loss of God's blessing. Instead, surround yourself with those who uplift and encourage, reflecting the spirit of Christ. [23:21]

- Draw Strength from Christ's Love: Consider the hostility Christ endured and His unwavering love. His example provides perspective and strength to endure our own challenges without losing heart. [41:57]

- Respond with Grace: When faced with criticism, respond with grace rather than retaliation. Focus on living with integrity and trust in God's understanding of your heart, as Paul did. [32:51]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:12] - Introduction to 2 Corinthians 5:11-13
- [01:10] - Reasons Not to Lose Heart
- [02:30] - Addressing Parents and the Disheartened
- [05:11] - Paul's Personal Connection to Corinth
- [06:12] - Paul's Ministry in Corinth
- [07:33] - Paul's Sacrifices for the Corinthians
- [10:18] - Criticism from the Corinthians
- [12:15] - Catalog of Criticisms Against Paul
- [21:09] - Warning Against Slander
- [23:21] - The Danger of a Critical Spirit
- [26:29] - Making Kind Judgments
- [30:01] - Paul's Response to Criticism
- [33:45] - Maintaining a Clear Conscience
- [36:23] - Finding Peace in God's Knowledge
- [41:57] - Drawing Strength from Christ's Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide

Bible Reading:
- 2 Corinthians 5:11-13
- Psalm 1:1
- 1 Timothy 1:19

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Observation Questions:

1. What specific criticisms did Paul face from the Corinthians, and how did he respond to them? [12:15]

2. How does Paul describe his relationship with the believers in Corinth, and what actions did he take to demonstrate his commitment to them? [09:45]

3. What does Paul mean when he says, "What we are is known to God," and how does this provide comfort in the face of criticism? [36:23]

4. According to the sermon, what is the danger of associating with those who have a critical spirit? [23:21]

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Interpretation Questions:

1. How does maintaining a clear conscience help believers face criticism, and what steps can one take to achieve this? [33:45]

2. In what ways does the love of Christ provide strength and perspective when dealing with hostility or misunderstanding? [41:57]

3. How can Paul's example of responding with grace rather than retaliation be applied in modern-day conflicts or misunderstandings? [32:51]

4. What does it mean to make the "kindest possible judgments" about others, and how does this reflect the spirit of Christ? [27:57]

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Application Questions:

1. Reflect on a time when you faced unfair criticism. How did you respond, and what might you do differently in light of Paul's example? [32:51]

2. Are there individuals in your life who have a critical spirit? How can you create boundaries to protect your heart while still showing Christ-like love? [23:21]

3. Consider your current relationships or tasks. Are there areas where you feel unappreciated or misunderstood? How can you find peace in knowing that God understands your heart? [36:23]

4. How can you actively work on maintaining a clear conscience in your daily life? What practices or habits might help you stay aligned with God's will? [33:45]

5. Think of a person who has been critical of you. What is one way you can respond with grace and integrity, following Paul's example? [32:51]

6. Identify a situation where you might be tempted to make a harsh judgment. How can you shift your perspective to see the best in that person or situation? [27:57]

7. Reflect on the love of Christ and His endurance through hostility. How can His example inspire you to persevere in your own challenges without losing heart? [41:57]

Devotional

Day 1: The Power of a Clear Conscience
Maintaining a clear conscience is essential when facing criticism. It involves being at peace with God, knowing there is no unresolved sin or controversy between you and Him. This peace allows you to stand firm in the face of unjust judgments, as you are confident in your relationship with God. A clear conscience is not about being perfect but about being honest and transparent before God, confessing known sins, and seeking His forgiveness. This practice strengthens your spiritual resilience and helps you navigate life's challenges with integrity. [33:45]

"For our boast is this, the testimony of our conscience, that we behaved in the world with simplicity and godly sincerity, not by earthly wisdom but by the grace of God, and supremely so toward you." (2 Corinthians 1:12, ESV)

Reflection: Is there any unresolved issue between you and God that you need to address today to maintain a clear conscience?


Day 2: Comfort in God's Understanding
Finding peace in God's knowledge of your heart is a profound source of comfort when others misunderstand or misjudge you. While human judgments can be flawed and biased, God's understanding is perfect and complete. He sees beyond actions and words, into the true intentions and motivations of your heart. This divine insight provides reassurance that, even when others doubt or criticize you, God knows your true character and intentions. Trusting in His understanding allows you to remain steadfast and focused on your spiritual journey, regardless of external opinions. [36:23]

"But the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.'" (1 Samuel 16:7, ESV)

Reflection: When have you felt misunderstood by others, and how can you find comfort in knowing that God truly understands your heart today?


Day 3: The Influence of Company
Avoiding the company of scoffers and those with a critical spirit is crucial for maintaining a positive and spiritually healthy environment. Negative associations can lead to a loss of God's blessing, as cynicism and slander are contagious. Instead, surround yourself with individuals who uplift and encourage, reflecting the spirit of Christ. This choice not only protects your spiritual well-being but also fosters a community of love and support. By choosing your associations wisely, you create an environment where God's blessings can flourish, and your faith can grow. [23:21]

"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night." (Psalm 1:1-2, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life influences you negatively, and how can you begin to distance yourself from their critical spirit today?


Day 4: Strength from Christ's Love
Drawing strength from Christ's love is essential when facing hostility and challenges. Christ endured immense hostility yet remained steadfast in His love for humanity. His example provides perspective and strength to endure our own trials without losing heart. By focusing on His unwavering love and sacrifice, you gain the courage to persevere through difficulties, knowing that His love empowers and sustains you. This perspective shifts your focus from the challenges to the strength and hope found in Christ's love. [41:57]

"Consider him who endured from sinners such hostility against himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted." (Hebrews 12:3, ESV)

Reflection: In what specific situation can you draw strength from Christ's love today, and how will it change your response to that challenge?


Day 5: Responding with Grace
Responding to criticism with grace rather than retaliation is a powerful testimony of living with integrity. When faced with unjust judgments, focus on maintaining your integrity and trusting in God's understanding of your heart. This approach not only reflects Christ's character but also diffuses potential conflicts and promotes peace. By choosing grace over retaliation, you demonstrate the transformative power of God's love in your life, influencing others positively and strengthening your own spiritual journey. [32:51]

"Repay no one evil for evil, but give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all." (Romans 12:17, ESV)

Reflection: How can you respond with grace to a specific criticism you are currently facing, and what steps will you take to ensure your response reflects Christ's love?

Quotes


I want to speak to everyone today who has been loyal to a difficult task uh you have been loyal perhaps to a difficult spouse or to a difficult friend the reality is that you have been taken for granted you have been presumed on you often feel that what you have done is you have extended yourself in one way or another has not been very much re recognized that the sacrifices you have made seem to count for very little or even nothing and sometimes you feel that your kindness has been treated with contempt. [00:03:06]

Paul must have been tempted when he was in Corinth to lose heart uh we know that because God appeared to him in a vision the Lord himself appeared in a vision and in Acts 18 and verse 10 said to him do not be afraid Paul but go on speaking don't be silent I'm with you no one will attack you or harm you for I have many people who are in this city and on the strength of that special Revelation that was given to encourage the Apostle Paul when he endured such hardship as a Pioneer missionary in Corinth he actually stayed there acts tells us for 18 months a year and a half a very significant time indeed. [00:06:35]

He had risk his life in order to bring the gospel to them we're going to move through this very quickly um just in a few moments here uh 2 Corinthians 10 and verse4 we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel of Christ no one had ever gone to this city which by the way was the Las Vegas of the early world no one had ever come with the gospel there before until the Apostle Paul and uh he comes and he risks his life that's the point of the uh Vision in which the Lord says now from now on no one's going to attack you because there had been great difficulty in the situation at Corinth he' risked his life to do this. [00:07:20]

He had personally led many of these Believers uh to the Lord uh 1 Corinthians 4 and verse1 15 though you have countless guides in Christ that is you've got many mentors and many teachers and all the rest of it you do not have many fathers I became your father in Christ Jesus Through The Gospel he says look you're my spiritual children I led most of you to the Lord myself and it was the blessing of God through Paul's Ministry that had led to the conversion of these people and the planting of this little church. [00:08:08]

He had extended himself in tireless effort on their behalf uh 2 Corinthians 12:15 he says I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls there's a great motto for anyone who's giving themselves to Ministry I will most gladly spend and be spent for your souls There's real love in a person who would say a thing like that and that's what Paul says about these people and number four he loved them he sought they're good and he knew what it was even to weep over them 2 Corinthians 2:4 I WR to you out of much Affliction and anguish of heart many tears not to cause you pain but to let you know the Abundant love that I have for you. [00:08:59]

People who have a critical spirit usually pick it up from others that is why the Bible says Bad Company ruins good character that's why the scripture says in Psalm 1 and verse one and this is very important blessed is the man who does not sit in the seat of scoffers we usually remember the first bit the man who doesn't walk in The Way of the Wicked yes but at the end of the verse blessed is the man who does not sit that's very significant sit because it means hang out with hang out with cynical critical people who are always pulling other people down you hang out with these kind of people you lose the blessing of God because what they're doing will rub off on you it really will don't sit in the seat of scoffers. [00:22:26]

A conversation that makes you think less of other people than you did before is a conversation that you do not want to be part of now knowing that we will all stand before the judgment of Christ as we saw in the scripture last week should make a difference to the way in which we speak about others you may find that Jesus Christ finds more to command in the brother or sister that you have been criticizing than he sees to commend in you I mean seriously can you imagine that when the great day comes when we will all that's Paul and the critics and you and me and everyone else we will all stand before the Judgment seat of Christ. [00:26:17]

We owe it to each other to make the kindest possible judgments we can about each other don't we that's the spirit of Christ always to think the best of others to make more of a person's virtues than their faults to make more of another person's strengths than their weaknesses and to learn to answer the critical person I think that's in this verse 12 Paul is saying to be able to give an answer to those who take pride in the outward appearance rather than what is in the heart to give an answer see the fault finder who says you know Paul he's not much of a speaker well you see a good person at current could say something like this well you know he may not be that brilliant as speaker but you know what he risked his life so that the gospel should come to our town and there wouldn't be a church here if he didn't do it. [00:27:51]

Maintain a clear conscience and notice that he refers to conscience in verse 11 and speaks about their conscience he can only speak about their conscience in the light of his own conscience and so just back a page in 2 Corinthians chapter 1 and verse 12 he says the testimony of our conscience is that we behaved in the world with Simplicity and godly sincerity not by Earthly wisdom but by the grace of God and supremely so toward you earlier in 1 Corinthians in chapter 4 he says I am not aware of anything against myself I'm not thereby acquitted because it is the Lord who judges me but I'm not aware of anything against myself a clear conscience friend simply means that you are not aware of any controversy between you and God that's what it means the sin that you have been aware of has been confessed it has been put under the blood of Jesus it has been forgiven and you are at peace with God. [00:32:55]

Find peace because God knows your heart love this in verse 11 what we are is known to God it's known to God now the order friends here is very important because of course if you have a bad conscience the fact that God knows you is not good news that will not comfort you will not give you peace your bad conscience and God knows me oh that's very very troubling and if you have a bad conscience today that is if you are aware of resisting the authority of God over your life if you are aware and you know that this is the truth about you that you're resisting something he's calling you to do or that you are actively pursuing something that he forbids you to do if you are aware of a sin in your life and on your conscience in the presence of God right now what you must do is that you must come before him and you must confess it you must come in confession you must come in Repentance you must be done with it and the blessing of God will be upon you and you will have a clear conscience. [00:36:23]

Draw strength from the love of Christ and that's why we just went over into verse 14 and we're going to come back to it next week but just to end here very very briefly you think about what Jesus endured and what uh people said about him people called him be elab that is they called him the devil they said he's demon-possessed his own family his brothers and sisters said he is out of his mind they said that about Jesus out of his mind people set themselves against Jesus so that nothing he said or did was ever pleasing to them so that on one occasion you may remember this Jesus says to what shall I compare this generation it's like children in the marketplace calling their Playmates we played the flute for you and you did not dance we sang the durge and you did not mourn in other words uh we we we we we we did a happy song and you wouldn't dance we did a sad song and you wouldn't more nothing that we did was ever pleasing to you. [00:39:44]

Consider him who endured from Sinners such hostility against himself and in that way you will not not grow weary and lose heart same phrase and then the writer to Hebrews adds this in your struggle you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood you see the point of this so people are saying that you're unreliable unimpressive uh ineffective proud and out of your mind is that all that's the point is that all is that all you're struggling with is that it you've been treated unfairly you've lost money someone in the family hates is that it Jesus shed his blood they drove Nails into his hands and into his feet think about what happened to him and you will get a different perspective on what is is happening to you consider him who endured such hostility from sinful men against himself consider him and you will not lose heart. [00:41:57]

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Transcript
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