“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.” (Proverbs 14:7)

Jesus never wasted time answering critics. You see, critics are spectators, not players. My good friend Rick Godwin recently preached a message titled “Posers or Players.” Many people are not players. They simply sit on the sidelines or in the stands and pose as someone who always knows what others should be doing. David described them in Psalm 1 as those who sit in the seat of the scornful. Critical people are usually disheartened people who have failed to reach their desired goals. Someone has said, “Criticism is the death gargle of a non-achiever.”

There has never been a monument built to a critic.

Critical people are typically disappointed and disillusioned people. They are often undisciplined and unfocused people. They are hurting inside and build their life by trying to bring down or destroy others.

My advice if they refuse to change is to move away from them. Don’t get me wrong, debate is a marvelous arena. There is a time and place to present facts. There is a time for exchange of information. Constructive suggestions are always pursued by champions. But there is also a time for silence.

When Jesus was being ridiculed and prepared for His crucifixion He was silent. The scripture says Jesus held His peace (Matthew 26:63). Jesus did not feel obligated to answer his critics. He never wasted time on people who were obviously trying to trap Him. He responded to hunger and thirst. He responded to seekers.

You owe nothing to a critic. “Speak not in the ears of a fool, for he will despise the wisdom of thy words.” (Proverbs 23:9)

Criticism is deadly. Correction is life. Criticism is pointing out your flaws. Correction is pointing out your potential.

Many years ago, I sat down at my computer to reply to a critical letter I had received. I toiled over my reply. I deleted words and wrote new sentences. It took me over an hour of exhausting work to carefully state a decent response to the letter. When I reread it I still was not totally satisfied with my answer.

Then it hit me. I had spent and entire hour writing a letter to a critic when I could have invested the same hour in writing a dozen notes of love and appreciation to those who have believed in me and supported my ministry. The one drained me of energy while the other could have energized me. Jesus ignored the critics. I suggest you do the same.

Originally published at RonCorzine.com. Used by permission.