Who Do You Think You Are?

“Who do you think you are telling me to…”

Ok, I’ll admit it.  I’m guilty.  There have been times when this thought was dancing in my mind while outwardly, I patiently smiled and listened while being corrected or critiqued by a fellow Christian.

In football, it’s called “Monday Morning Quarterbacking.”  In the church it doesn’t usually wait till Monday, but occurs at the back door following worship services.

If we’re not careful, it would be easy to dismiss whatever criticisms are given, whether valid or invalid by thinking, “Who does this person think he is?  After all, I’m the professional here.  I’m the one who went to school and earned a degree in Bible.  Furthermore, this person who’s criticizing me hasn’t ever even preached a sermon before.  What does he know?”

Well, let me just warn against developing such an attitude.  Before you bristle, remember the attitude Peter possessed when he, an experienced fisherman, was told by a carpenter how to fish. Peter listened and was blessed (Luke 5:4-5).  Friends, you don’t have to be a “professional” to be right. May we all work at being more “swift to hear” (James 1:19) and slower to defend ourselves.