Criticism

Galatians 2:11-13 "But when Peter came to Antioch, I had to oppose him to his face, for what he did was very wrong. 12  When he first arrived, he ate with the Gentile Christians, who were not circumcised. But afterward, when some friends of James came, Peter wouldn’t eat with the Gentiles anymore. He was afraid of criticism from these people who insisted on the necessity of circumcision. 13  As a result, other Jewish Christians followed Peter’s hypocrisy, and even Barnabas was led astray by their hypocrisy."

If you are a leader the question is not will you be criticized, the question is will you allow the fear of criticism to keep you from doing what God has called you to do. Peter allowed the fear of criticism to keep him from fellowshipping and reaching out to those Jesus died to save.

Fear of man always brings death, because it causes you to make decisions based upon what others are saying. When we should make decisions based upon what God is saying. The vision of God for your life and his kingdom is more valuable than any other thing that you have. If you compromise the vision of God in order to avoid the criticism of man, you have failed. Not only have you failed but you still will not be exempt from criticism, it will still come. As a leader you only have two choices; do what God has called you to do with criticism or don't do what God has called you to do with criticism. It really is a no brainier, so embrace the vision, learn from your critics but stay true to what God has called you to do.