Persuade With Gentleness

CURRENT TEACHING SERIES The Keys to a Blessed Life

Persuade With Gentleness By Rick Warren — Oct 18, 2015 “A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is.” (Proverbs 16:21 TEV) Gentleness is persuasive. This is extremely important if you happen to make a career in sales. Why? Because the hard sell no longer works. We no longer respond to a guy yelling at us that he’s got this amazing deal that we can’t live without. These days, we don’t buy because somebody’s giving us a sales pitch. We buy because somebody recommended it. Your friends recommend a certain car, movie, or restaurant, and that’s enough to make you want to try it or even buy it. Why? Because their approach was gentle, with no agenda. It’s far more persuasive. Proverbs 25:15 says, “Gentle speech breaks down rigid defenses” (MSG). Do you want to convince your girlfriend or boyfriend or your spouse to do something? Don’t go with the hard sell. Even when people have their guard up, gentle speech will get their attention, because gentleness breaks down rigid defenses. So if you’re a parent, screaming never works — even with the most stubborn child. Never discipline in anger or frustration. Always discipline in love and with gentleness. The New Century Version translation of Proverbs 25:15 says, “A gentle word can get through to the hard-headed.” If I want to persuade people in my church to live more for Jesus Christ, I must do it in a gentle way. I could stand on stage every weekend and say, “Let me tell you all the things that you’re doing wrong,” but that way of talking just builds emotional barriers. People would probably stop coming to church! It doesn’t work in the pulpit, it doesn’t work in the home, and it doesn’t work with your boss. Nagging never works. But gentleness is persuasive. The Bible says in Proverbs 16:21, “A wise, mature person is known for his understanding. The more pleasant his words, the more persuasive he is” (TEV). This is the mark of maturity. Wise, mature people are pleasant. Fools and idiots are rude. You’re never persuasive when you’re abrasive. PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >> Talk It Over Why does gentleness stand out so much in our society? Think of the way you responded in arguments with siblings or other kids when you were younger. How, if at all, has your response changed as you’ve grown? What are some practical things you can do in the moment when you are disciplining your children that will help you respond with gentleness and not anger? Today’s Scripture “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” (Romans 8:1, NKJV) SHARE WITH YOUR FRIENDS No Condemnation Jesus came to break the curse of sin, shame and condemnation in our lives. He came so that we could see things the way God sees them. Do you know how God sees you? He sees you as valuable. He sees you as strong. He sees you as capable, talented and trustworthy. The voice of condemnation says exactly the opposite. Condemnation is a loss of value. It’s the accusing voice of the enemy that says, “You’re not good enough...you’ll never be good enough...you’re a failure.” Condemnation is never from God. The Bible tells us there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus. No matter how you may be feeling, wake up every morning and declare that the Greater One lives in you. Declare that you are strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Declare that He loves you and has called you according to His purpose. Choose to see yourself as valuable, the way God sees you. Embrace His truth so that you can overcome condemnation and live in victory all the days of your life! A Prayer for Today “Father, thank You for setting me free from condemnation. Thank You for believing in me and filling me with Your vision for my life. Help me to see myself and others the way You do in Jesus’ name. Amen.”