Critics On The Internet
The internet is a tremendous tool…there is so much amazing information available to us today that was not there 20 years ago. I am an internet junkie—I read blogs, do research—keep up with sports…great stuff.
However, the internet can also be a place where, if you are not careful, you can get caught up in what the Bible calls “foolish and stupid arguments” that are completely fruitless and will not impact the Kingdom whatsoever.
BUT—yesterday I was tempted to throw Biblical wisdom to the side and I almost became involved in a debate on a blog that I discovered that were taking shots at myself, NewSpring, Ed Young, Andy Stanley, Reggie Joyner, and a few others as well.
I read the blog several times…I am not sure who has the blog because the person refuses to identify themselves…and I thought about it all day yesterday and even prayed about it in my quiet time this morning. I don’t know if you have ever dealt with this—but if you do let me share with you what I wrote in my journal this morning that has helped me a ton.
#1 - Don’t Take The Criticism Personally
Easier said that done, right? But if you are going to open your heart and share your feelings in any type of public forum then you WILL be misunderstood, misquoted, and criticized—I promise.
And the majority of the time the person who criticizes you the loudest is the one who probably doesn’t know you at all. In the case of the person yesterday…I have never even had a conversation with them—and they even admit on their blog that they have never even darkened the doors of NewSpring.
I listen to criticism—the book of Proverbs says to; however, it says that wounds from a FRIEND can be trusted…and people who tear you down from a distance and remain anonymous while doing so is not what I would call a friend.
#2 - Look At The Source
I had to do this for a long time yesterday…consider the source, where does this type of criticism really come from?
Here is my conclusion—I cannot force myself to believe that God has raised up an army of warriors to create random (and once again anonymous) blogs that do nothing except tear down the work that He is doing.
I can’t help but think about the Apostle Paul here…everywhere he went he was criticized…heck, there were people in the book of Acts that traveled from town to town just to beat him up. But he knew where that type of resistance was coming from…and it didn’t deter him from his goal.
#3 - Do NOT Engage In Fruitless Fighting
As I stated earlier—this was hard for me yesterday. I felt like my heart and love for Jesus and His church were called into question. I began to reason with myself that if this person could just see my passion for those who do not know Christ then they would be convinced that I really believe in this work that God has called me to do.
You and I both know that isn’t the case.
The people around me know my heart…I do not believe you can sit through a service at NewSpring and say that I do not believe what I teach…and I try my best to live that belief as well. BUT someone who criticizes you from a distance will never believe that—ever.
In this person’s blog I was called out because I did not respond to his/her e-mail several months back. Let me say this—nearly every e-mail that comes into this blog gets some type of response; however, we refuse to engage in fruitless fighting…and NEVER respond to people who e-mail without identifying themselves.
My job is not to debate the already convinced—but to reach as many for Christ as possible…and to stray away from that goal to debate an anonymous critic would be foolishness.
#4 - Agree To Disagree
There is a lot of debate in the Christian community today…predestined or choice…speaking in tongues or reverent worship…traditional or contemporary…mega church or mini church…and none of these debate will EVER be settled by some random blog post over the internet.
However, if we are Christians, Christ Follower—lovers of Jesus Christ—then we need to simply agree to disagree. After all, we are all going to the same place—I guess I’m just focused on trying to take as many with us as possible & so as long as we can say Jesus is Lord and that He is alive and necessary for forgiveness…then the rest is just details.
#5 - Finally, Don’t Go There!
If you KNOW that there is a website dedicated to tearing down you as a person OR your ministry—don’t go there! I know it is tough—trust me, I wanted to go to the site I discovered yesterday and read…but it will not do me any good, nor will it help the people around me. It WILL affect your mood…thus affecting the way you treat others.
That is why I will not provide you with information on where this person’s site is…I know some of you would go there and try to debate this person…others would try to begin sites that bash him/her…it’s not worth it.
Love Jesus—love others—those are the two most important commands—let’s try our best to do that and pray that our attitude—even on the internet—reflects that our effort is wrapped up in Him!