Copyright by Freedom in Christ, used with permission.
When people attack us or criticize us, or expose our character flaws, we can quickly get defensive. But the problem with this is that sometimes we are indeed in the wrong, in which case we have no legitimate way to defend ourselves. We need to humbly admit that we are wrong. Or, if we’re in the right, then we don’t need to defend ourselves – Jesus will do it for us!
We can learn a lot about how to respond by looking at Jesus:
When they hurled their insults at him, he did not retaliate. When he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 1 Peter 2:23
Like Him, we can entrust ourselves to “Him who judges justly” and leave the outcome with God.
Nobody tears another person down from a position of strength. Usually, those who are critical of others do so because they are hurting or immature. If you’re secure in your identity in Christ, you can learn not to be defensive when someone attacks you, and you just may have the opportunity to minister to that person. Try putting this to the test this week, and see what a difference it makes!
