https://youtu.be/Na6AQntGZuk?feature=shared
Are Christians allowed to be assertive? What does it mean to “speak the truth in love”? The issue of being assertive and being Christian always seems to be a difficult task. Christian assertiveness seems like a contradiction in terms. It is not only possible, but probably important for the Christ follower. Here is a brief conversation about Christian assertiveness.
There is something that feels non-Christian about assertiveness. Christians are supposed to be loving. They should be humble. They turn the other cheek. But assertiveness is not being unkind or rude. Assertiveness is speaking the truth clearly without the intention of hurting someone’s feelings.
In Matthew 15 Jesus at first refuses to heal the daughter of the gentile woman that comes to Him. He appears almost rude. I don’t understand all of that but it does show that even Jesus was assertive.
4 Observations:
1. Assertive is more kind than not assertive.
2. Assertiveness demonstrates trust.
3. Assertiveness puts the relationship ahead of self.
4. Assertive makes room for conversations. (I left this one out of the video.) 🤓
So, learn to “speak the truth in love.”
Say what you mean and mean what you say.
Verbalize your feelings.
Set clear expectations.
And express mutual respect.
Hebrews 12:15 “See to it that no root of bitterness springs up within you..”