Leave Them Alone
- Noah Olson
- May 22
- 4 min read
It has been said that nobody likes a critic and that would be right. Criticism is a stem that grows from the root of bitterness (Ephesians 4:31), envyings (Galatians 5:21), and hatred (Galatians 5:20). There is nothing good that comes from a person who seeks to tear apart little by a little a work or a person through whom the light of the Gospel is of Christ is being spread.
Critics are Satan’s subtle servants. They appear to be helpful on the outside, but inwardly they want nothing but division and power. Often the greatest critics may be the weakest Christians. R.L. James observed “Have you ever noticed that the members of the church who attend the fewest services know the least about the Bible? They gripe the most, kick the most, work the least, and stand the least chance of getting to heaven.” They only seek to tear apart the most faithful, discourage the imperfect, and ridicule those who do not do it their way. Thankfully, Jesus stands by His faithful and answers these unfair souls by telling them to leave His people alone (Mark 14:8). How can critics leave Jesus’ faithful alone?
Take an Inward Look Before and Outward One (Matthew 7:1-5). Often, critics stand equally as low as their target if not lower because “When you throw mud at someone, you’re the one who is losing ground.” Many critics see the problems in all others but one person—themselves. Sometimes “those who complain about the way the ball bounces are usually the ones who dropped it.”[1] It could be that critics complain because they have failed to succeed in the desired goal, so they must tear down all others from “succeeding mountain.” Pride is the disease that is often not self-diagnosed, but critics love to diagnose others with it and other sins. Critics filled with pride only have a mountain from which to fall off—and it is steep (Proverbs 16:18). First try out the thermometer that you use on others on yourself and you may find that you won’t use it again. Someone said that when a man knows himself, he will remain silent at the faults of others.
Remember Who You Are Hurting in the Process (Matthew 25:40). A “professor was known for some pretty elaborate object lessons. One day he put up a large target on the wall and told the students to draw a picture of someone they disliked and put it on the target and then throw darts at them. The students took to the task with great energy and their pictures and the target behind started to get ripped to shreds. At the end the professor removed the target on the wall to reveal a picture of Jesus which now as completely mangled. Quoting Jesus, the professor said, “Assuredly, I say to you, inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me.” (Mathew 25:40 NKJV).[2] Little do critics know that the abusive word said, the discouraging tone expressed, and the vicious confrontation to the Christian was all directed toward Jesus (Acts 9:4). Before you criticize another, why don’t you picture Jesus as the target—this will help you think twice about what you say and how you say it.
Do Before You Destroy (cf. Matthew 23:4). Critics are the finest refiners, but the laziest laborers. They can inspect a building down to the centimeter, but won’t lift a hammer to build the house. Often, critics don’t do, they just demean, and they often cause heavy burdens on others for unlawful purposes (cf. Galatians 6:13). Ask a critic the last time he actually performed the job he criticizes, and he likely will have no samples. One Chinese Proverb reads: “Let the man who says it cannot be done not disturb the man doing it.” “A man came up to Moody once and criticized him for the way he went about winning souls. Moody listened courteously and then asked, ‘How would you do it?’ The man, taken aback, mumbled that he didn’t do it. ‘Well,’ said Moody, ‘I prefer the way I do it to the way you don’t do it.’”[3] Don’t say a word if you first have not lifted a finger.
Don’t Create Dirt Where a Surface is Clean. Critics love to create problems where there is none. In all the labor and effort that men will do, there will be something wrong or that could be changed. The reason for this trek varies, but it might be due to their egotism and envy. They must find something wrong, so they can feel superior and know that if they were to do it, it would be better than you. These people literally create fake dirt upon surfaces of spotlessness. They are like the Pharisees who tried endlessly to find fault in the purest of people (cf. Mark 3:2; Luke 6:7; 14:1; 20:20). Don’t be the critic that is never content with any work, even when its perfect. “Two taxidermists stopped before a window where an owl was on display. Immediately they criticized the way the owl was mounted. They noted that the eyes were not natural, nor the wings proportionate to its head, and its feathers were not neatly arranged, and its feet needed improvement. When they had finished their criticisms, the owl turned its head and flew away.”[4]
Nobody likes a negative critic—leave God’s people alone.
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