We often criticize each other—sometimes for valid reasons, other times, not. Criticism itself is not inherently unhealthy. Constructive criticism is grounded in fact, delivered with kindness and gentleness, and never meant to demean or destroy.
Negative criticism is often unfounded, insensitive to feelings, and sometimes intended to harm.
Spouses critique one another, children their parents, and vice versa. Even in the workplace, what we call an Employee Performance Review is essentially structured, hopefully, constructive criticism designed to help rather than hurt.
A World of Fault-Finders
We live in a world of fault-finders. Jesus described the generation of His day as children sitting in the marketplace, finding fault with, grumbling at, expressing dissatisfaction with, and even rebuking one another through false criticisms—a description that fits our generation as well. He said:
“But to what shall I liken this generation?
It is like children sitting in the marketplaces and calling to their companions, and saying:
‘We played the flute for you,
And you did not dance;
We mourned to you,
And you did not lament.’” – Matthew 11:16–17
In my previous three-part series, Knowing Who You Are, I discussed discovering your God-given identity. Having discovered who you are, you also need to be true to yourself. Live according to God’s truth and your own convictions, not those of others.
This can be challenging because some will take offense when you refuse to conform to the majority. They want you to do things the way they do—the tyranny of the majority. If you don’t, you may be shunned as an outcast.
We live in a world ruled by groupthink, where stepping outside accepted norms is often resisted. There’s nothing wrong with living conventionally—so long as it aligns with God’s Word. But if it doesn’t, God has not called you to live that way.
Jesus Too Was Criticized
Jesus said:
“For John came neither eating nor drinking, and they say, ‘He has a demon.’
The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look, a glutton and a winebibber, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’.” – Matthew 11:19
Jesus faced constant criticism. Those who did not understand Him said He was mad (John 10:20). They accused Him of being a liar, a hypocrite, and even a Samaritan—a derogatory term in their culture. In verse 19, they charged Him with being a glutton and a winebibber simply because He ate with tax collectors and “sinners”—people regarded by the Jewish elite as morally corrupt and socially marginalized. They criticized Him for many other specific things:
He dined with Zacchaeus, the tax collector – Luke 19:7
The Pharisees said He was demon-possessed and operated by the power of Beelzebub – Mark 3:22
A Pharisee reproached Him for not stopping the sinful woman who washed His feet with her tears and dried them with her hair—an act most would see as self-abasement – Luke 7:39
He healed people on the Sabbath day, such as the man with the withered hand – Luke 12:9–14
John the Baptist did the exact opposite of what Jesus did—he did not eat with tax collectors and sinners—but he was criticized anyway. They said
“…‘He has a demon.’” – Matthew 11:18
Wisdom is Justified of Her Children
These show that no matter what you do, someone will always find fault. Those who want to criticize will do so regardless. So why shape your life around someone else’s expectations or dance to another person’s tunes? You cannot—and should not—be a people pleaser. God does not call you to that.
People may criticize your decisions, choices, or the Christian standards by which you live, but Jesus says,
“…But wisdom is justified by her children.” - verse 19
Its fruit and outcomes demonstrate its truth.
The NIV translates it:
“…wisdom is proved right by her actions.”
Just as wisdom is shown by results, so is foolishness. You will be shown to be right in the end, so do not let false criticisms discourage you. Like I said in my previous series, Life Is Not an Accident, we can predict life’s outcomes by looking at the choices people are making.
Scripture reveals eternal consequences, but temporal outcomes are evident too. Those who live immorally—through sexual promiscuity, addiction, lies, or violence—often face destruction in this life: broken relationships, lost livelihoods, health crises, or legal consequences.
Jesus calls us to live without compromise. To live by biblical standards is wisdom; to disregard them is folly.
Coming Next: Responding to Criticism
Does this mean you should ignore all criticism? Or how should you react to them?
👉 In the next post, I will explore how you should respond to the criticisms you face.