The Critic!

The longer I'm in ministry, the more aware I have become of critics. Critics in church, outside of church, in business, in politics, in life, online, in person, etc etc. People who have ideas on how to do "ministry" or life better, so they think. Things that we do that we shouldn't. Things we don't do that we should. Things that may or may not have been said. People having advice that may or may not be productive or necessary. People being offended. People that hate Christians...the list goes on. This occurs in every ministry, business, or area of life. Everywhere you turn, there is a critic.

As I've talked to Pastor's about the criticism they've received or have noticed how they've reacted to criticism, I find a common denominator. It doesn't matter that there are 100 people encouraging you for helping them in their relationship with God. It always seems to be that one person that offers their criticism that discourages you or plants the seed of doubt, anger, or frustration in your soul. It's hard to ignore because that one person can easily rattle your brain. You want to defend yourself or feel like you have a great response for your critic. So you respond, maybe even appropriately. But the fact remains. They are a critic. They always will be a critic, whether they know you personally or not.

Here's the facts. If you are doing any kind of ministry, in the church world or not; if you are doing any kind of good deed for someone else, there is always going to be some kind of criticism. Why you may ask? It's because we live in a fallen world with imperfect people. Satan hates what you are doing. My dad use to always say, "If you don't have any opposition in any form, you probably aren't doing Kingdom work." That is because we have a very real opponent who will do whatever he can to discourage or distract you from doing what God has called you to do. Gene Edwards puts it this way, "There is no kingdom without discord. Even God had his critics in heaven, you know." Wow! We forget that Satan is a constant gnat; a fallen angel. He is your biggest critic and he will work through anyone at any time, even the closest people around you. Remember, we are in a spiritual battle, not a flesh and blood battle. The opposition knows you better than you know yourself. With that in mind, keep plowing fields. Keep focusing on Jesus. Keep praising God because the critics never stop!

Angel Of Light

Last night I taught my students on the subject of being fearless. Satan's goal is to destroy us but he doesn't want us to realize our power in Christ. When it comes to spiritual warfare, especially for teenagers, it's easy to put the devil into one of two categories. We either fear him and put an emphasis on his 'power' or we completely ignore the existence of his reality.

Ephesians 6 talks about putting on the full armor of God. What that really means is knowing and memorizing Scripture. But have you ever noticed the 'armor' described in this passage? It protects the 'soldier' from head to toe but it only covers the front. It leaves the 'soldiers' back completely exposed. In war, this was the case to discourage any warrior from fleeing the battle. If one fled, they most likely would be killed because nothing protected their backside. Armor was meant to face your opponent head on! The same is true in Christianity. God gives us the power of His Word and when we put it to heart we can stand our ground, standing firm in the Lord, facing Satan head on! The moment we turn and flee in fear is the moment he defeats us. Be encouraged, God has given you the ability to face your opponent head on. Stand firm! Isaiah 7:9 says, "If you do not stand firm in your faith, you will not stand at all!"

In 2 Corinthians 11:14, Satan is called the angel of light. That is a crazy thought. Satan literally will disguise himself as an angel of light. His lies won't always seem like lies because they sound good, tolerant, and politically correct but just because they sound nice, doesn't make them true. Lecrae says it this way, "A wolf is no less a wolf because he's dressed in sheepskin and the devil is no less the devil because he's dressed as an angel."

But here's how you see right through Satan. Knowing Scripture! Are you the type of person who believes everything you hear because it sounds good? Or do you seek and memorize what the Bible actually says? When you let the Word of God manifest in your heart, it changes the way you view life. It changes the way you view people. It changes the way you view Satan!