Constructive Criticism

We should always accept “constructive criticism,” or so we are told. But does that really make sense? I recently read an article that suggests otherwise. Sally Illingworth said, “What I’ve learned is to take constructive feedback from only those whom have constructed something in their life….”

Now that makes better sense.

Should a master mechanic spend time listening to advice from a person who cannot tell a dipstick from a differential? Should a parent take parenting advice from those who have shown themselves to be disastrous parents? Should a carpenter build according to advice given by someone who has never built so much as a birdhouse?

Not all advice is of equal value. Eve should not have listened to the dietary advice of a snake; it would have saved a world of trouble. Rehoboam should not have listened to the advice of his immature friends; it would have saved the Kingdom of Israel if he had ignored them.

We should not heed everyone’s advice. The book of Proverbs instructs us to listen to certain people and just as clearly tells us to ignore others. Those who have proven themselves by godly living and by service to others are to be heeded (1 Cor 16:15-16).

To heed everyone is at best a waste of time and will often lead to disaster. Choose your advisors carefully and prayerfully. Take constructive criticism only from those who have been constructing something good.

The mouth of the righteous utters wisdom, and his tongue speaks justice (Psalm 37:30, ESV).
The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse (Proverbs 10:32, ESV).