1. The Christian and
Criticism

2. Even Moses
and Jesus were
harshly criticized.

3. Criticism is painful,
and Satan can use it
to his advantage.

4. Criticism of Paul

5. Paul was accused
of having:
1) A fleshly attitude.

6. 2 Corinthians 1:17
[17] Therefore, I was not
vacillating when I intended to
do this, was I? Or what I
purpose, do I purpose
according to the flesh, so that
with me there will be yes, yes
and no, no at the same time?

7. 2 Corinthians 10:2
[2] I ask that when I am
present I need not be bold
with the confidence with
which I propose to be
courageous against some,
who regard us as if we
walked according to the flesh.

8. Paul was accused
of having:
2) A weak
leadership style.

9. 2 Corinthians 10:10
[10] For they say, “His letters
are weighty and strong,
but his personal presence
is unimpressive and his
speech contemptible.”

10. Paul was accused
of having:
3) An unremarkable
speaking style.

11. 2 Corinthians 10:10
[10] For they say, “His letters
are weighty and strong,
but his personal presence
is unimpressive and his
speech contemptible.”

12. 2 Corinthians 11:6
[6] But even if I am unskilled
in speech, yet I am not so in
knowledge; in fact, in every
way we have made this
evident to you in all things.

13. Paul’s Response

14. Paul’s Critics Were
Seeking Approval
Through:
1) Outward Appearance.

15. 2 Corinthians 10:7
[7] You are looking at things as
they are outwardly. If anyone is
confident in himself that he is
Christ's, let him consider this
again within himself, that just as
he is Christ's, so also are we.

16. Paul’s Critics Were
Seeking Approval
Through:
2) Comparison
with others.

17. 2 Corinthians 10:12
[12] For we are not bold to class
or compare ourselves with
some of those who commend
themselves; but when they
measure themselves by
themselves and compare
themselves with themselves,
they are without understanding.

18. Paul’s Critics Were
Seeking Approval
Through:
3) Commending
themselves.

19. 2 Corinthians 10:18
[18] For it is not he who
commends himself that is
approved, but he whom the
Lord commends.

20. Proverbs 27:2
[2] Let another praise you,
and not your own mouth;
A stranger, and not
your own lips.

21. Paul’s Response
Paul did not
fear critique,

22. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5
[3] But to me it is a very
small thing that I may be
examined by you, or by any
human court; in fact, I do not
even examine myself.

23. Paul’s Response
and knew all
that mattered
was the
approval
of God.

24. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5
[4] For I am conscious of nothing
against myself, yet I am not by
this acquitted; but the one who
examines me is the Lord.

25. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5
[5] Therefore do not go on
passing judgment before the
time, but wait until the Lord
comes who will both bring to
light the things hidden in the

26. 1 Corinthians 4:3-5
darkness and disclose the
motives of men's hearts; and
then each man's praise will
come to him from God.

27. Final Thoughts
From Acts 7

28. When we are criticized,
we should:
1) Look up.

29. When we are criticized,
we should:
2) Stand up.