Turning Criticism to Courage
April 6/7, 2024
Daniel Im, Lead Pastor

Our words are powerful

- So too, though the tongue is a small part of the body, it boasts great things. Consider how a small fire sets ablaze a large forest. And the tongue is a fire. The tongue, a world of unrighteousness, is placed among our members. It stains the whole body, sets the course of life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. Every kind of animal, bird, reptile, and fish is tamed and has been tamed by humankind, but no one can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in God’s likeness. Blessing and cursing come out of the same mouth. My brothers and sisters, these things should not be this way. (James 3:5-10 CSB)

Elijah let the voices of others > voice of God

- Ahab told Jezebel everything that Elijah had done and how he had killed all the prophets with the sword. So Jezebel sent a messenger to Elijah, saying, “May the gods punish me and do so severely if I don’t make your life like the life of one of them by this time tomorrow!” Then Elijah became afraid and immediately ran for his life. When he came to Beer-sheba that belonged to Judah, he left his servant there, but he went on a day’s journey into the wilderness. He sat down under a broom tree and prayed that he might die... (1 Kings 19:1-4a CSB)

Effects of Criticism:
1. We begin forgetting who we are
2. We begin forgetting who God is
3. We begin forgetting what we are called to do

When Criticized:
1. Be honest with God
2. Be honest with yourself
3. Be honest with others