The "ism" of Criticism -- part 2

Mothers of Nations, let’s continue our discussion of criticism by looking into the book of Nehemiah. If you did not read last week’s blog entry where we introduced our current topic, I would urge you to do that first before moving on with today’s discussion. 

The book of Nehemiah is one that offers us as believers powerful principles about overcoming destructive criticism. Let’s get started and see what the Lord has to share with us today!

We soon discover as we read these scriptures about the rebuilding of the walls of Jerusalem that “vision robbers” came to stop Nehemiah’s passion for his assignment and offered much destructive criticism as their strategy.

When Sanballat heard about what Nehemiah was doing and the progress of the rebuilding vision, he became upset, angry and enraged about the whole situation. Mothers of Nations, isn’t it interesting that one person’s progress can actually upset people! This was true with Sanballat. He ridiculed and spoke negatively to others about the Jews. In all actuality, Sanballat despised the builders of the walls of Jerusalem. And because of this he tried to discredit, discourage and destroy any and all progress.

Nehemiah 4: 1-2  (NKJV)

But it so happened, when Sanballat heard that we were rebuilding the wall, that he was furious and very indignant, and mocked the Jews. ² And he spoke before his brethren and the army of Samaria, and said, “What are these feeble Jews doing? Will they fortify themselves? Will they offer sacrifices? Will they complete it in a day? Will they revive the stones from the heaps of rubbish—stones that are burned?”

And now to make it more personal to all of us, have you ever tried to build something, to accomplish a God-given assignment, only to have “Sanballats” arrive? Have accusers come your way to discourage you, discredit your vision, and attack your character or testimony?

Here are a few of Sanballat’s actions that we note in these verses of the book of Nehemiah.

• He had a list of criticisms.
• He attacked the Jews’ character.
• He attacked the builders’ abilities.
• He attacked their commitment to finish.
• His goal was to get them to quit rebuilding the walls.

In case you have not already noticed this in your own life’s experience, the devil is always trying to get us to quit! Yet when we are focused and committed to our assignments and vision, destructive criticism like that of Sanballat is not able to stop us from pressing forward in the things of God.

But for Nehemiah and the builders of the walls of Jerusalem, the destructive criticism did not stop with Sanballat. We read next in Nehemiah 4: 3 (NKJV) that Tobiah next added to Sanballat’s list of criticisms.

Nehemiah 4: 3 (NKJV)

Now Tobiah the Ammonite was beside him, and he said, “Whatever they build, if even a fox goes up on it, he will break down their stone wall.”

Tobiah criticized the strength of the walls and in so doing, he was also criticizing the strength of Nehemiah’s vision. He said that even a fox could make it crumble by just walking on it. In other words, this “wall project” just was not going to succeed.

Let’s notice here from these two examples that both Sanballat and Tobiah were using their WORDS to try to discourage the builders and leaders. Words definitely can harm and hinder visions, ministries, businesses, countries, presidents, families, marriages, etc. Scripture tells us much about the power of words and the power of the tongue. There is great power in our words – to be both constructive and destructive.

As we close today, why don’t you take a few minutes to look up some Scriptures about the power of our words. Then throughout this coming week, be intentional in the words you speak, choosing to offer positive declarations to others and avoiding any destructive criticism that would want to be shared.

Mothers of Nations, we are blessed to be a blessing!

Dr. Sharon Predovich