Don’t Get Defensive
By Rick Warren
“But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere” (James 3:17 NIV).
After one pastor had preached his first sermon at his new church, a guy walked over to him and said, “Pastor, that sermon stunk.” The pastor was trying to be reasonable and open about it and asked, “What didn’t you like about it?” The man replied, “In the first place, you read it. Second, you read it poorly. Third, it wasn’t worth reading in the first place.” After he walked away, another man came up behind him and said to the pastor, “Don’t listen to old Jim. He just repeats what he hears everybody else say.”
Are you a reasonable person? Can your kids reason with you? The Bible says if you’re wise, you’re reasonable. You’re open to suggestions. A wise person does not antagonize others’ anger, does not minimize their feelings, and does not criticize their suggestions. Most of us are overly sensitive. If somebody makes a suggestion, we take it as a personal criticism and we get defensive. But a wise person can learn from anybody!
Wise people are not defensive. They’re not stubborn. They’re open to reason. They’re willing to listen and learn. James 3:17 describes wisdom as “submissive,” but that word really means reasonable, willing to listen, and open to ideas and suggestions. The Living Bible says, “It allows discussion.”
If something is true, listen and learn from it. If it’s false, ignore it and forget it. “A fool thinks he needs no advice, but a wise man listens to others” (Proverbs 12:15 TLB).
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick >>
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Daily Hope 2018 Prayer Journal
Learn how to pray prayers that expect answers!
Do you sometimes struggle with how to talk and listen to God? The good news is he longs to hear your prayers, whether it’s a bold cry or a whisper. And your words don’t need to be perfect. He delights in you when you come before him—in thanksgiving and petition.
Jesus says in John 15:7 . . .
“If you remain in me and my words remain in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you.”
So the key to praying with hope and expectation is abiding in Christ—and we want to help you do that with the all-new Daily Hope Prayer Journal. Your faith will be strengthened and you will be blessed as you look back on your written prayers and see how God has faithfully answered them.
It has a soft cork-like cover on the outside, while inside you’ll find . . .
• Bible verses and suggestions to help you pray for specific people and situations
• Practical encouragement for your prayer life from Pastor Rick
• Plenty of space to write out your prayer requests and how God answers them
The all-new Daily Hope Prayer Journal is our way to say thanks for your financial support of Daily Hope today. So request yours when you give below.
Thank you for your gift to share the hope of Christ through Daily Hope!
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.