Criticism: the act or art of analyzing and evaluating or judging the quality of anything.
Cynicism: cynical disposition, character, or belief; bitterly or sneeringly distrustful, contemptuous, or pessimistic.
In relationship, a certain level of accountability must be maintained. Accountability as a way of guiding one another toward desired goals. The idea is to keep one another in check and can be achieved through calling out flaws and bringing possible issues to light.
The key lies in how to approach the accountability.
Critical Accountability is the “iron that sharpens iron” (Proverbs 27:17). Any criticism is hard to hear, but simply being critical and giving constructive advice out of love will be the push some need to get to where they want to go. Don’t be afraid of critical accountability or to give this act of love. If there’s no mirror around and no one tells you about the big zit on your face, you live your life looking like a fool. Just like critical accountability, you want the honesty of someone to tell you when you need to get rid of something in your life. When you first pop it, it may hurt, but in the end, you’ll be glad you are free of the imperfection.
Cynical Accountability is the deep wounds each of us carry. Inconsiderate critiquing of flaws without love or understanding of the person being sized up leaves them worse off than they were before you opened your mouth. It thrives on low self-esteem. Most often, cynical accountability is given to make the sender feel better about their own insecurities they live with. Loose words and sharp tongues are characteristic of this form of accountability and it is often given in the presence of many others in order to demoralize the receiver.
Shoot for critical accountability spoken out of love. You could be the encouragement and challenge to change someone’s life.
