Before They Trust Jesus, People Need to Trust You
By Rick Warren
“Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone.” Titus 3:2 (GW)
Your gentleness is a witness to unbelievers. They’re watching you all the time to see if you are any different when you’re under stress. When you respond to pressure with gentleness, it’s an incredible testimony to the world.
The Bible says in Titus 3:2, “Believers shouldn’t curse anyone or be quarrelsome, but they should be gentle and show courtesy to everyone” (GW).
If you claim to be a follower of Jesus, you are not allowed to speak evil of anyone. You are not allowed to be quarrelsome. Instead, you must be gentle with and show courtesy to everyone. Does that mean even people of a different political party? Yes.
God gave me the gift of evangelism, so I spend most of my time speaking with people I totally disagree with. That’s because I believe you cannot win your enemies to Christ; you can only win your friends.
People aren’t going to trust Jesus until they trust you. People usually don’t ask me if the Bible is credible. They want to see that I am credible. Do I live with integrity? Am I gentle? Am I loving? Am I compassionate?
If people like what they see in you, they will listen to what you say.
Here’s the thing: If you obey Titus 3:2, you’re going to be criticized by other Christians. They’re going to say you’re compromising—I know this from experience. When I say I have friends who are Muslim, Jewish, or atheists, they say, “How could you do that?” And they accuse me of compromising.
Treating other people with respect does not mean you have to compromise what you believe. I have friends who don’t agree with me and friends who don’t believe what I believe—because there’s something more important to focus on: Do they know Jesus?
A great verse to live by is 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect” (NIV).
PLAY today’s audio teaching from Pastor Rick
For more Daily Hope with Rick Warren, please visit pastorrick.com!
Your Gift Brings Hope to the World
Your Gift Matched to Help More People Experience the Hope of Jesus
Thank you for your generous gift today to help share God’s Word with people who are hurting, searching, or ready to grow in their faith.
As thanks for your gift, we’ll send you a copy of Choose Joy by Kay Warren.
This book helps you sink your roots deep into God’s love, strengthening your faith and steadying your hope.
So request yours when you give today. And thank you for your partnership!
*All gifts will be doubled up to the full amount of the grant. Thank you for your generous support!
*The USA IRS code permits you to deduct the amount of your financial gift to Daily Hope that exceeds the fair market value of “current offer” materials you received from Daily Hope.
This devotional © 2018 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.
