Do not worry about criticism, do not fear the words of men; wherever there is criticism, envy lives, and where envy lives, bitterness resides. Often the enemy uses criticism to discourage, but those who keep their eyes on God will triumph.
Noah endured 120 years of criticism because he believed God and built the Ark just as God commanded him. Everyone can see what is written in Genesis 6:22 and Genesis 7:1: the result of one man’s obedience and how his entire family was saved.
When Nehemiah set out to repair the walls of Jerusalem, he faced criticism, opposition, and even attempts on his life; but Nehemiah stood firm and told the opponents that the work was too great and he had no time to listen to them, and thus he finished what God told him to do (Nehemiah 6:1-14).
In Matthew 16:22-23, Peter wanted to prevent Jesus from suffering, being crucified, and rising from the dead on the third day. Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him, but Jesus’ response to Peter was: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
When the enemy cannot reach you directly, he looks for someone in your circle of friendship whom he can influence to do everything possible to stop what you are doing for the Lord.
Job was going through a trial that the Lord had permitted in his life; the devil noticed that Job did not bend, that Job remained firm and did not sin against God. Therefore, the devil influenced his wife to tell him to curse God and die, but there too the devil failed (Job 2:9-10).
When our eyes are on the Lord, we have God’s strength to use people’s criticism as stepping stones to stand upon, because everything that is in God’s will will receive criticism. Paul said a word that everyone must take into account in the times we are living in: 2 Timothy 3:12: “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.”
It is very important that we keep our eyes on the Lord, the vision He gave us, and God’s purpose for our lives, because criticism is meant to bring doubt, and we all know that when people doubt they cannot receive anything from God, because doubt makes a person’s heart double-minded (James 1:6-8).
Fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God (Hebrews 12:2).
So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what he has promised. For, “In just a little while, he who is coming will come and will not delay.” And, “But my righteous one will live by faith. And I take no pleasure in the one who shrinks back” (Hebrews 10:35-38).
When our eyes are on God, it is difficult for us to fall into depression, because God sustains us; but when we take our eyes off God, we become vulnerable to every attack.
Sincerely, Pastor Marcel Balootje.