Not long ago, someone asked me the following question:
“Frank, I’m a new author and I’ve been getting some criticism over my new book. I know you’re not a stranger to criticism because of the controversial things you’ve written in years past. Can you give me some advice on how to handle criticism? I don’t think I’m doing a good job with it. Thanks.”
Anyone who is making an impact is going to draw fire. It’s written in the bloodstream of the universe. An oft-repeated platitude is, “If you’re flying over the target, you’re going to catch flack.”
Or as Elbert Hubbart stated, “To avoid criticism do nothing, say nothing, be nothing.”
If you are someone who is putting (or will one day put) your hand to the plow of God’s work, you will invite criticism. And the more valuable your contribution is to the kingdom of God, the more severe the criticism will be.
In answer to the above question, here’s what I believe the Lord has taught me about handling criticism. In short, there are three kinds of critics and each should be responded to differently.
1. The Supporters. These are people who love you and support what you are doing. Any criticism they bring your way is constructive. It is designed to make you a better person. Supporters want you to succeed and they are cheering for you and your work. For instance, if you’re a writer, a supporter may point out a typographical or grammatical error. They may also draw your attention to a factual error (perhaps you got a historical date wrong, for instance).
Your Response to Supporters. Welcome their criticisms. They are doing you a great service by pointing out your blind spots and oversights. Always thank them for taking the time to draw your attention to such things. Sometimes it’s not easy for them to do so.
2. The Objectors. Objectors are people who have a genuine disagreement with you about something. They aren’t your enemy. Consequently, they aren’t contentious, mean-spirited, and they don’t misrepresent you or your work. None of us can claim immaculate perception; therefore, you could be wrong. So be thankful for these people.
Your Response to Objectors. Be open to the objectors because they may be right in their disagreement. Give them an ear and investigate what they are saying. It may turn out that their objection is accurate and they have done you a service by correcting your thinking on something. On the other hand, by analyzing their argument, they may confirm that you are correct. I’ve found that in most cases when I have engaged an objector and we talked through the apparent disagreement, we discovered that we really didn’t disagree. (See So You Think You Disagree? 4 Reasons Why You May Not.)
3. The Trolls. Trolls are people who are set on your destruction. They are governed by hatred, usually rooted in envy or jealousy. Oftentimes, trolls will first deliberately misrepresent you. But if that doesn’t work, they will resort to personal attacks and character assassination. Trolls are dishonest and traffic in manufacturing lies, spinning the truth, and distorting facts. They do not receive correction from anyone, and they lose credibility quickly. Only the gullible and those who also operate by hatred and envy agree with and support them. Trolls usually attack those they don’t know personally. Another common characteristic is that they repeatedly lift themselves up while tearing others down. They are inflicted with an inflated ego that has never gone to the cross. For this reason they are toxic to others.
Your Response to Trolls. All social media experts say the same thing: Don’t feed the trolls; ignore them. If you engage a troll and try to correct him/her, it will be in vain. In fact, it’s counterproductive because it simply makes them appear more credible and draws attention to their dishonest statements. The experts point out that trolls don’t dignify a response. They are being deliberately dishonest so there’s no use in trying to correct them. The wisest course of action is to ignore them. As Proverbs 26:4 says, “Do not answer a fool according to his folly or you will be like him yourself.” Eventually, trolls always end up dying on their own swords.
Each of the three kinds of critics can be Christians (trolls are often professing Christians, sometimes claiming their Christianity quite loudly).
When it comes to criticism, it’s important to remember that all things that come into your life – good or evil — have first passed through God’s hands (Romans 8:28ff.) So be thankful to the Lord for criticism. Receive the constructive kind with a spirit of gratefulness and ignore that which is rooted in falsehood, taking the high road as did your Lord when He was under attack:
“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)
See also How to Handle Offenses – The Forgotten Beatitude
Thanks for pointing me,to this post.
My flesh is wanting to respond to my first troll on my site. At first, I was excited by a potential debate. It started okay and then it became obvious what I was dealing with.
Last night and this morning, I was wrestling with the issue. My real impulse is to engage. Yet, I was prompted by one friend (definite supporter) to ignore. This morning, I’m recalling the two above admonitions.
Thanks for confirming what I’m hearing.
The odd part is, I do know what to do when on somebody else’s blog. Just did not expect it to be on mine.
Do not answer a fool according to his folly or you will be like him yourself.” Do you think there is a difference in pointing out an issue versus engaging or lowering oneself to the attackers level-especially if they claim to be Christian? Maybe it’s all my flesh but it seems wrong to always ignore. Someone needs to speak the truth at least once, right?
People should be given the benefit of the doubt at first. But the problem is that trolls have been corrected countless times by many different people. Hence, they should be ignored.
Good stuff. It’s important to be open to people (supporters or otherwise) who disagree or think differently, but to not give an ear to the trolls.
It takes courageous people to stand up and affirm their beliefs. The Trolls are tough to deal with. I agree with Frank, there is nothing that you can say or do to please them. They are not after constructive dialogue, they are not wanting to study and discuss differing opinions.
We are dealing with that very issue currently. We started a prayer request site that is open to everyone, the only direct email that we receive are folks who are questioning whether a prayer request site is honoring the Glory of God. Try as we may, we just had to stop responding to those emails. A troll is a troll….I just wish trolls had better things to do.
As always Frank, I enjoy reading your posts.
Frank,
My first time submitting anything like this. How does one respond to you with a comment on your book, Jesus, A Theography. I enjoy your books and I had an insight on the wedding feast at Cana and wanted to know if it had any value.
Merle
Go to that specific book page. Check the Archives.
Perfect timing for me!! Having to deal with a troll right now, and that was perfect timing and confirmation. Thanks frank. Love ya brother.
Gracious as always.
Great post, Frank.
I’m gonna do nothing!
Very well stated. I know trolls can take a lot of joy out of things, so I’m hoping most of your readers are supporters and objectors. The Lord bless you, brother!
Great Post Frank!
Great post! We can all learn from our “objectors.” From a “troll,” not so much! I agree with your “no response” to the trolls. It just feeds their appetite for more lies and deception. Keep up the great work.
Good, helpful observations Frank. One positive thing to keep in mind: If you’ve got critics, it means you’ve got readers. If you’ve got readers, it means you’ve got something to say. If you’ve got something to say, it is a blessing from God. A gift. Enjoy it. Fulfill it. Be faithful to it my friend, as you are.