Looking for your opinion on a question one of our old on-line friends asked on his board.

Quote:

Here's an interesting question, I'd like to see some Christian feedback on. How should a Christian take criticism from unbelievers? I mean, of course we want to watch how we're perceived, but how much weight should we give such things? We are called to be seperate from the world, we are told that we'll be hated, even persecuted. So, discernment is needed to determine when is it a legitimate complaint, and when is it simply a tool by an unbeliever in an attempt to guilt you into being a doormat for them. Whatcha think?

I would be interested in your take.

Discernment is what we need when unbelievers are critical to us.
We have to know they are not children of God so God's Holy Spirit can't work in them because they are not children of God.

Our answers and reactions on the criticism have to be careful.
When we are harsh to the criticism they have to us they might think Christians react on exactly the same way as unbelievers. That's not the meaning.
Our reaction on their crticism have to get them thinking that we react on a different way.
I think so God is able to work in their lifes too.

Best thing to do is to not be critical back. People always have opinions on everything, and when a non-christian is critical about a christian then we should just let them have their say.

As the song goes "in the end, it doesn't even matter". What they say to you and criticise about you is nothing in the end. We just need to show them love. I'm reminded of the 'love your enemies and it'll heap burning coals on their heads' (can't remember the exact words). But I take that to mean in this context that if someone is very critical of you, then it's probably done to get a reaction from you. Thereby if you react in love they are flumuxed. Hopefully that will get them to see that being a Christian is about loving one another.

Fundy

Thanks a bunch guys.

As long as the criticism is productive, then I would think so. Too many times we Christians think we can't learn anything from an unbeliever. But, sometimes, the non-Christian may be more moral than we are. As long as I felt that someone was genuinely trying to help me, I think it would be healthy to listen. Who is to say that God cannot speak through any source?

Good point.

Just FYI here is the response I gave (not that my opinon is any more "right" than those given here).

Quote:

I would think if the criticism is in regards to politeness or genuine care or feeling for that person I would feel free to accept (or deny) the criticism (as long as it does not compromise my faith). Like-wise with other advice opinions concerning worldly manners. If it is in regards to anything concerning the nature or attributes of God, Jesus or the bible. I doubt I would take much (if any) criticism from a non-believer.

What's FYI?

It's true not only believers can speak the truth.
You always have to listen what people say to you no matter if it are Christians or unbelievers.