Fixed vs Growth: Criticism and the Success of Others, Our Identity in Christ

According to the ideas of fixed versus growth mindset, those with a fixed mindset will struggle with criticism and with the success of other people.  For someone with a fixed mindset, they are “good enough” as they are:  criticism is an attack on their essential characteristics, a personal assault, a challenge against which the only recourse is a counterattack or a shrinking sense of failure and despair.  When viewing the success of other people, those with a fixed mindset perceive that success as another attack: if others are more successful, by contrast that must mean they are a failure, worthless, useless.  Fixed mindset people respond to the success of others by demeaning or belittling them and their accomplishments:  “it must not have been that difficult of a test”, “they must have been desperate to hire if he got the job”, “she must have slept her way into that promotion.”   In contrast, those with a growth mindset view criticism and the success of others as an opportunity for learning, growth and self-improvement.  Every critique is viewed on its merits, and every success story is viewed as a parable.  Is there something I could improve?  Is there something I need to do differently in the future?  How can I learn from this person’s perspective?  How can this person’s success shed light on my current challenges?  Is there a way for me to apply their solutions to my problems?

As Christians, we have a unique perspective.  We are convicted of sin every time we compare our actions and our hearts to God’s perfection; we cry out to Him for forgiveness and for strength to turn away from sin.  In that regard and on our own merit, we are failures.  But in His mercy for Jesus’ sake, He forgives us and declares us righteous.  We stand confidently in our inheritance and the promises of God in Christ; we are His children, destined for crowns of life in eternity with Him.  But here on earth, day by day, we still struggle with sin. 

And so, on one hand, we do have a fixed mindset—no one can wrest us away from God’s hands, no one can steal away our inheritance.  If we are called sinners, inadequate, losers, failures, disgusting and incompetent, we know that this is all true—and that we are forgiven and declared holy by the only Judge who matters, our God and Father.  We can calmly turn the other cheek to insults, knowing that human judgement does not matter.  We can also listen with quiet and unthreatened interest to the charges levied against us by other people:  because human judgement does not alter the identity we have in Christ, we are not threatened by it.  Instead, we can seek to learn.  While human judgement cannot trump God’s judgement, we recognize the wisdom and insight God grants other people and acknowledge that God uses them.  We also are able to view the success of others without feeling threatened.  We know that God causes the sun to rise and rain to fall on the righteous and unrighteous alike (Matthew 5: 45) and that He feeds the birds and clothes the flowers and promises that He will meet our needs perfectly (Matthew 6: 25, 26), as He willingly sent His Son for our redemption and promises to bless us with every other needful thing (Romans 8:32).  We look forward anxiously for the rooms being built for us in the Father’s house by the Master Carpenter who promised to prepare a place for us with Him in eternity.

But this kind of open-hearted, open-minded receptivity to criticism, challenge and failure is difficult.  Perfection, success, flawless performances—these are valued by the world, these garner praise and recognition.  In Psalm 73, the writer says with bitter humility, “…as for me, my feet had almost slipped….I envied the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked.”  He goes on to describe the wicked as free from burdens, arrogant, carefree and wealthy.  Jesus told His disciples they should expect trouble, hatred, persecution and danger.  He assured them that this would occur, in a way as proof of their discipleship and dedication to Him.  Because Christ was persecuted and crucified, we should expect nothing less.  This is a hard thing to hear, particularly when the world views success and ease as proof of divine favor.  We understand that feeling of feet that slip toward criticism and bitterness!  However, the writer of Psalm 73 concludes “Whom have I in heaven but you?....it is good to be near God….I have made the Sovereign Lord my refuge….”  Our salvation is in Christ, our wealth is in heaven and not of this world. When we struggle, that is not necessarily a divine criticism. We should not use the world’s gauge of success or failure.  We are accountable to God.  

So what is a good gauge?  Where is a credible source of criticism?  What should direct our growth?  If success, money, compliments, and worldly pats-on-the-back are not a good frame of reference, what should we use instead?   2 Timothy 3: 16 – 17 says that scripture makes us wise in regards our salvation, and is inspired by God, “useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting, and training in righteousness” to equip us for God’s work on earth.  In John 14, Jesus promised His disciples—and us—His Spirit as guide and counselor.  So it is only God's Word and God's Spirit which give us guidance and feedback; only these standards serve as an appropriate and reliable gauge for us.  Take time to contemplate what God says about you, success and criticism, and who you are in Christ.

1)      Psalm 119, the longest Psalm in the compilation of Psalms, spends 176 verses declaring the greatness and benefit of God’s word:  God’s word preserves us blameless, makes us wise, gives us hope, is a lamp and light to our path.  Choose a section of this Psalm (organized by letter of the Jewish alphabet) and meditate on the goodness of God’s holy word.  

2)      Read Hebrews 4: 12.  God’s word is described as a double-edged sword, sharp, and capable of shearing through self-deception and falsehood.  Like the knife used by a hunter to skin game, a paring knife peeling fruit, or the scalpel used by a surgeon to slice through skin, bone and vasculature, God’s word is a powerful and delicate instrument, wielded by One motivated by love and possessing limitless skill.  What areas of your life require this delicate, precise yet irresistible treatment?  What habits, thoughts, desires, plans or motivations need to be sliced away?

3)      Galatians was written in defense of the purity of the gospel message and rejection of human works as a way to earn salvation.  Read Galatians 1: 6 – 12, where Paul encourages his readers to stick to a pure gospel message and not one corrupted by requirements to earn salvation.  Our salvation is by grace through faith in Christ.  Consider Paul’s warning to the Galatians:  are there ways that you have allowed the pureness of the gospel message to be corrupted?  Have you allowed “a different gospel”, one not based on the Bible, to guide your thoughts, actions and beliefs about your salvation?

4)      In Galatians 2: 17 – 21 Paul reminds us that we are sinners and cannot justify ourselves, but have died to that law and the accompanying sense of hopelessness because of the death and resurrection of Christ.  In Christ we have forgiveness and new life.  Have you allowed the criticism of other people or the magnitude of your sinfulness to cause you to doubt the salvation you have in Christ?  Or have you allowed yourself to believe that somehow your personal goodness will contribute to your salvation and earn God’s favor?