We are continually concerned about maintaining a proper "balance" in our preaching. In particular, we are sensitive about the criticisms concerning too much "negative" preaching. With this in mind, we'd like to ask the question: What makes preaching "negative?"

First, let us observe that the very same sermon will be regarded by some as positive and by others as negative. Every preacher has experienced the situation where - following a lesson - some praised the message for its uplifting content and others complained that it was a discouragement.

It seems clear that much of this is "in the eye of the beholder." Those who are striving to live faithfully for God, who are trying to rid their lives of sin and wickedness, who really want help with overcoming their spiritual weaknesses, will be thankful for anything that moves them in those directions. If there is a "hard" lesson that exposes and denounces sin, they will appreciate it as simply one of the things that will maintain their resolve to be the best they can be.

Conversely, if a person is not living right, and has not been putting forth a sincere effort, they will feel that the sermon was "aimed" right at them, or that the preacher was "picking" on them in some way. Often the preacher does not even know that he "stepped on their toes."

Consider this illustration: A preacher preaches a strong sermon condemning the sin of using tobacco. There is one brother in the congregation who recently quit the evil "weed." He thanks the preacher and tells him that the lesson will be a big help in maintaining his resolve to stop smoking. For him, the sermon was "positive." Another brother, who is still a smoker, gets mad about the lesson. He gripes (but usually not directly to the preacher) that the preacher is too "negative," and that a lesson like that simply will not do any good.

Do you see it? Yes, we need "balance" in our preaching. But, please realize that your reaction to a given lesson probably says as much about you as it does about the preacher.