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Bishop B. Manjoro Dunamis
Today I will talk to you about criticism. Criticism is a tool that can either destroy you or build you up. Let’s dig together in God’s Word and hear what we have to learn from the Lord Jesus Christ and how he handled criticism in his day. Read on!

“And, behold, there was a woman who had a spirit of infirmity for 18 years and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands on her and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the Sabbath day, and said unto the people, there are six days in which men ought to work: in them therefore come and be healed and not on the Sabbath day.

“The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the Sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these 18 years, be loosed from this bond on the Sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.” (Luke 13:11-17)

In life if you are not careful you will be criticised and give up on your dreams! There are also people who were criticised, but stood their ground and rose to be great people in life. On the verse above the Lord Jesus was criticised by the Pharisees for healing on a Sabbath. It was a good thing yet he was criticised. But Bishop I wonder why people talk bad about me when actually I go an extra mile to do my work in our department? Listen and be encouraged, criticism can come even when you are doing a good thing. It’s how you handle it that matters! Don’t give up because of criticism. The law of Faith says never, never, give up!

This lady had a spirit of infirmity. You see, all sicknesses will land on you if you have the spirit of infirmity. But don’t give up, don’t lose hope. You shake yourself and declare spirit of infirmity you are not allowed in my body. Actually you can have reason for your cough haaa it’s change of weather? But you live where other people are and they are okay. It’s spirit of infirmity. Thank God, Jesus ministered to this lady and she was healed.

However, afterward there was a problem. Her breakthrough was a problem to the Jewish leaders. Serious criticism arose. Why are you doing this on Sabbath? They challenged the Lord with great indignation!

At moments of criticism don’t feel bad or get offended! Begin to talk yourself and encourage yourself in your heart, If God is on my side nobody can be against me! If God says yes, if God is on my side nobody will say it’s impossible. O hallelujah! If you want to grow, if you want to prosper, if you want to succeed accept to be criticised. When you are successful people do what they do and the devil will also do what he does best.

But refuse to give up. Refuse to be discouraged by people’s talk. Haven’t you heard people that say before I was a Christian things were okay, but now uhmm there is trouble! It’s because we were preaching an incomplete gospel.

We would say eh if you receive Jesus in your life all things are now well. Life is now milk and honey. No, no, no it is well yes because we have welcomed the Lord into our lives, but we need to understand also that we have declared war with the devil! We are now preaching if you receive Christ you have been saved yes and you have also been recruited into the army!

Sooner or later missiles, bombs and landmines will be exploding! Let it not scare you or put you to flight no! You see either at home, at work, at school and in your marriage storms may suddenly arise, but don’t fear! Be ready to fight. The Israelites were given the land of Canaan, but were told, now go fight for it. But Lord why not drive the giants away for us and give us a challenge-free land? If he gives you like that you won’t value it. Ever seen children of the rich who have never fought for anything in life?

They may not take things seriously in life. If you also have a gift and you don’t fight, the gift will not work. You have got to fight. Jesus didn’t run away when he was criticised for healing the bound lady, no, he stood on the Word, making well a distressed and suffering daughter of Abraham! Be encouraged right in the midst of criticism child of God! For with God all things are possible (Mark 10:27).