How to Handle Criticism in Ministry: 2. Have A Blind Eye & A Deaf Ear

In Spurgeon’s 22nd chapter of Lectures to My Students, entitled “The Blind Eye and the Deaf Ear,” Spurgeon advises his students on how to handle criticism. This chapter has really ministered to me through the years.

On the one hand, there are some folks who try to divide God’s people and attack his servants. In Nehemiah 4, there are two guys who were doing just that: Sanballet and Tobiah (v. 1, 3). Nehemiah, however, did not fall prey to their carnivorous appetites. Instead, he took up a weapon to protect, and he went to God in prayer for help (v. 8). Like mentioned yesterday, when these types of critics come against you, you must run to the Scriptures and meet with God, and commit to protect God’s people from such wolves.

One Blind Eye, One Deaf Ear

Spurgeon suggested that the minister distinguish between the “Sanballet’s” and those who are trustworthy advisors. Regarding the former, two of Spurgeon’s axioms are timeless:

1. "Be deaf and blind to the longstanding differences which may survive in the church. As soon as you enter upon your pastorate you may be waited upon by persons who are anxious to secure your adhesion to their side in family quarrel or church dispute; be deaf and blind to these people, assure them that bygones must be bygones with you, and that as you have not inherited your predecessor’s cupboard you do not intend to eat his cold meat. If any flagrant injustice has been done, be diligent to set it right, but if it be a mere feud, bid the quarrelsome party to cease from it, and tell him once for all that you will have nothing to do with it…. Know nothing of parties and cliques, but be the pastor of all the flock, and care for all alike. Blessed are the peacemakers, and one sure way of peacemaking is to let the fire of contention alone. Neither fan it, nor stir it, nor add fuel to it, but let it go out itself.”

2. "The blind eye and the deaf ear will come in exceedingly well in connections with the gossips in the places…. There are also certain persons who are never so happy as when they are “grieved to the heart” to have to tell the minister that Mr. A. is a snake in the grass, that he is quite mistaken in thinking so well of Messrs. B. and C., and that they have heard quite “promiscuously” that Mr. D. and his wife are badly matched. Then follows a long string about Mrs. E., who says that she and Mrs. F. overheard Mrs. G. say to Mrs. H. that Mrs. J. should say that Mr. K. and Miss. L. were going to move from the chapel and hear Mr. M., and all because of what Mr. N. said to young O. about that Miss. P. Never listen to such people."

One Open Eye, One Open Ear

While we do not listen to everyone’s criticism, we must remember that every leader needs some gifted and godly people in his life for the purpose of accountability, support, wisdom and prayer. It may take you a while in a new church to discover such people, but remember that you need them. Do not be so arrogant as to think that you do not need the counsel and critique of others. Have and open eye and an open ear to these friends. Heed the words in Proverbs:

Give instruction to a wise man, and he will be still wiser;teach a righteous man, and he will increase in learning. (9:9)

Where there is no guidance, a people falls,but in an abundance of counselors there is safety. (11:14)

The way of a fool is right in his own eyes,but a wise man listens to advice. (12:15)

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise,but the companion of fools will suffer harm. (13:20)

Without counsel plans fail,but with many advisers they succeed. (15:22)

An intelligent heart acquires knowledge,and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge. (18:15)

Faithful are the wounds of a friend;profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Prov. 27:6)