Is the passive resistive in your life reluctant to change?
When leading the passive resistive through listening, first, we need to be peaceful. Second, we must be patient. Third, we need to reveal a painless first step. Fourth, we need to humbly and positively provoke the passive resistive toward wisdom.
We must express the positive benefits of change revealed in that painless first step. The passive resistive harbors a stubborn pride, a hidden will of iron, that demands respect and honor. Humility is the only concept that can soften pride because it does not rob the passive resistive of his will. Solomon said: “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom” (Proverbs 11:2).
Whereas pride is a hard heart, humility is a soft heart — one that will lead the passive resistive toward wisdom. Humbly demonstrating the positive outcomes of the painless first step lessens the passive resistive person’s barrier to change. The writer of Hebrews penned: “And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works” (Hebrews 10:24).
Connect with the heart of the passive resistive and be peaceful. Deflect his difficult behavior and be patient. Reflect his heart and reveal a painless first step. Finally, direct him toward wisdom by humbly and positively provoking him toward the intersection of God’s heart and street smarts. Model a soft heart while communicating the positive outcomes of the painless first step.
Wisdom allows us to navigate through conflict toward community. When we listen to the passive resistive, we connect with his heart, deflect his passive resistance, reflect his heart in an unthreatening manner, and direct him toward wisdom. In order to lead the passive resistive through conflict to community, we must: (1) be peaceful, (2) be patient, (3) reveal a painless first step, and (4) humbly and positively provoke him toward wisdom.
When you follow God’s priceless pearls of wisdom, it won’t be you leading; rather, it will be Christ in you.
Episode 79: Leading the Passive Resistive Through Listening from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.