Is every criticism worth consuming? Do we always learn something about ourselves from a criticism?

Short answer: No.

If someone knows you tend to always “consume” or take to heart a criticism, this gives that individual incredible power over you. They are able to control you via their criticism.

This is unhealthy and ungodly.

Fearing people is a dangerous trap,     but trusting the Lord means safety.

-Proverbs 29:25, NLT

Sometimes the best thing to do with some criticism is to ignore it. Treat it like the babbling of a spiritually sick individual. Until the spiritually sick individual finds healing, their words will manifest sickness best left “untouched.”

Criticism–even explicitly about you–may have nothing to do with you and everything to do with the critic.

Part of growing into spiritual maturity is growing into a place where another human’s opinions do not have the power to toss you about like a boat in a storm.

Can critical feedback ever be helpful?

Yes, absolutely.

It really depends on the relationship and the advice given. In general, the person needs to respect your autonomy in either accepting the advice or not. In other words, advice needs to be given from one adult to another with an open hand. Someone who cannot allow you to reject their advice is someone with boundary issues. They are unsafe, and their criticism is suspect.

Sometimes the best thing to do is to completely reject some criticism.

The critical condemnation of Satan is not something we are to entertain (see Romans 8:1). It is unwise to meditate on lies. Such criticism–even partial truths are lies, remember–need to be rejected for one’s own emotional and spiritual well-being.

Not every criticism is worth consuming.

Not every criticism directed at you is really about you.

So, consume criticism with caution.

*A version of this post ran previously.