Isaiah 36:21
"But they held their peace, and answered him not a word: for the king's commandment was, saying, Answer him not."
Hezekiah was facing pressure from the king of Assyria. The king of Assyria criticized and mocked Israel and their ability to defend themselves. Yet, when Hezekiah addressed the people, he commanded them not to answer the mocking and criticisms. He told his people not to dignify these people with a response. He understood that God would come through. He understood that they would be vindicated for doing right. He understood that time always reveals who is right.
If you do right and serve the LORD, you will oftentimes find yourself facing criticism and mocking from those who do not like what you are doing. It is easy to want to quickly respond, but Hezekiah was right in not dignifying the king of Assyria, and you would also be right not to give an answer. When you experience criticism and mocking, there are several things you should do.
First, don't dignify with an answer, and continue doing right. Those criticizing you would love for you to stop what you are doing to take the time to answer their criticism. I have always learned that you never win when you answer criticism because the critic has already made up their mind. When people mock what you do or how you do it, just keep doing what you are supposed to do. Don't dignify their actions by responding. When you respond, you are saying that there is credibility in what they are saying. You must continue to do what you are supposed to do and not dignify them with a response.
Second, don't dignify with an answer, instead go to God. Hezekiah responded by going to the One Who had the power to turn the mocking and criticism into good. When you dignify your critics with a response, you are not giving God the opportunity to reveal their foolishness. We oftentimes want God to do something right now, but if you will learn to wait on God, He will show that you are right. Going to God is always the best response to mocking and criticism.
Third, don't dignify with an answer, and let time vindicate you. You just keep doing what you are supposed to do and you will find that time always reveals who is right. Time has shown the foolishness of many critics. Time has squelched many rumors. Time has revealed the agenda of those who mock. Though you may not like to wait, you must. You must let time do her work, for when you wait on the LORD, then He will reveal in time if you are right.
Let me encourage you to not dignify with an answer those who are criticizing and mocking. Just keep doing right and you will find that, in the end, you will be the one who is vindicated. Don't change what you are doing, but keep doing right. The pressure of criticism and mocking may be great, but God can give you the strength to endure it and come out on the right side.