Ignoring What Some People Say…

What do you do when you face criticism/advice/”wisdom”/blowing hot air from people who don’t have your best interests at heart or whose opinion really doesn’t matter? Personally, I have chosen to put in the earplugs and ignore them.

For example, yesterday I had a conversation with a man who decided to bash me personally and let me know about how wise he is.  Should I take his comments personally?  Absolutely not.  And to be quite honest, it really didn’t bother me in the least bit.  Why?  I’ve decided to put in the earplugs and not listen.  It wasn’t worth my time or attention to argue with him nor worthwhile to bash him back.

Here’s why I chose not to listen.  I know who God has called me to be and what he’s called me to do.  God has made in blatantly obvious through His word, through godly counsel, and through circumstance to make it known what it is that He wants me to do.  I know that my worth is found in Him and not in the “wisdom” of someone who has no concern for my life.  Heck…the countless advice and encouragement that I have received from godly men vastly contradicted what he had to say.

I really think that God prepared me a lot this week for this conversation because I had just read and listened to some things that spoke directly about this topic.  For example, did you realize that in Mark 5:36, Jesus himself decided to put the earplugs in by “ignoring what they said.”  Steven Furtick brought this to my attention in this incredible post and said “if any voice is raising itself in contradiction to the will and Word of God concerning you, be like Jesus” and “ignore what they said.” (You absolutely need to check his post out)

So who do we listen to?  I can’t tell you the exact people, but perhaps another pastor, Troy Gramling, said it best in this talk. He said that there are three types of people you should listen to: those who love you, those who believe in you, those who know more than you.  Incredible advice if you ask me.  And if they constantly remind you of how wise they are, grab the earplugs.

Simply put, there is a ton of value in listening to other people.  But practice selective hearing.  Listen to God first and foremost and listen only to those who fit the criteria above.   Are you with me?