Not Me! Right?

Luke 11:45 - One of the lawyers answered him, “Teacher, in saying these things you insult us also.”

How do you respond to criticism? When someone points out an error you have made, what is your first reaction? Is it anger? Is it a feeling of insult? Is it instead finding fault with the one who pointed out the errors? Perhaps you judge them back because you perceive their motives are hostile or, at the very least, they are unworthy to point out any errors in you because of all the errors in their own lives. Granted, not all criticisms are well founded, and we dare not make ourselves slaves of public opinion, but too often we are unwilling to listen when our faults are pointed out. Even if we do listen, it is even rarer that we act on them.

In the last half of Luke 11, Jesus begins to point out the errors in the Pharisees’ thinking, motives, and behavior. Like far too many of us, they did not take that criticism well. In verse 45 above, one of the experts in the Jewish law said they were “insulted.” Yet, Jesus did not back down. He showed them that their unwillingness to evaluate the truth of his words and the error of their ways put them in a state of extreme guilt. Even then, they were unwilling to listen, let alone change. The chapter ends with them plotting together to try to trap Jesus in his words in a way that would give them grounds to execute him.

When someone points out something you can improve, do not immediately jump to offense or anger. Listen carefully. Determine any truth in their words. Evaluate your own actions, thoughts, and motives. Change anything that needs to be changed. Remember: you will never improve if you are not willing to receive correction.