Gracious Listening, Gracious Criticism

I've had some good conversations lately about attitudes toward those that deliver the Word. I attend a Bible College: breeding grounds for young people who think they know everything. But some of us are starting to notice things that are getting out of hand.

Wednesday, Thursday and Friday of this week was the annual Bible Conference. No classes, but several sessions of speakers preaching on a specific theme: Rock Solid Faith. Before the conference started on Wednesday, I recognized that I have had such a critical spirit when I go into chapel lately. I look at the speaker and just wait for him to mess up. I evaluate his preaching style, weigh his illustrations against the amount of scripture he shares, etc. But what I haven't been doing is saying, "Lord, open my eyes and my ears to the message from Your Word that this person is sharing, whether they do it the way I think they should or not." So, I repented of my wrong, and prayed for an open heart to what God would teach me this week. It has been really good! One very important point during this conference has been made that "rock solid faith comes from our rock solid God. Our faith is only as good as the object of our faith." This week has been such a good reminder of my lack of faith in many areas, and my lack of praying in faith for those areas.

So, all was well until this morning. The speaker was one that I have heard before, and have always had a hard time not being distracted by the things that he says that don't always line up. But I always hear people talking about what a great man he is, and what a great heart for God that he has. So, I resolved to be open-minded and to try to listen to the text he shared and what he had to say. . . Oh well. He said too many things that just don't seem to line up with scripture. I felt really bad, cause I had just had another conversation last night about the critical spirits on this campus, and the way we rip apart the speakers that graciously come to share with us.
I didn't bring it up to anyone right away, but a sweet and discerning girl asked me what I thought. I was honest, and tried to say it in a gracious way. It turned out that she was feeling the same way.

At lunch my friends and I talked about the situation. I love my friends. One friend confesses that he is overly-cynical about everything. Another friend did not hear the sermon but wanted to think the best of this brother who spoke. Another friend is so tender-hearted and graciously gleans the truth from those who preach, but does not always notice the problems with some of the things they say. A fourth friend was, like all of us, wanting to find a balance (or ballast as some might say).

Our conclusion was this: We should be gracious critical thinkers, and gracious listeners. Both should be present without the exclusion of the other. We should be open to what God wants to teach us through the text that is shared, despite the human flaws of those that share it. However, our love for God's Word should compel us to listen critically, be discerning, and to measure the things that people say against what the Scriptures say. We should by all means talk about it when we think a point was wrong, but graciousness should be present in all.

Strive for truth; don't strive to be right. The former stems out of love for God and His Word, the latter stems out of pride and self-righteousness.