How to Win Friends and Influence People
David reigned over all Israel, doing what was just and right for all his people. (2 Samuel 8:15)
David was immensely popular with the people. Everyone loved him. Well, almost everyone. There were a few exceptions. Saul was one, while he was alive. But in general, the people loved David. Why? Because David was dead set on pleasing God, not man. Take a look at the difference between David and Saul. Saul spent most of his time worrying about saving face. His every action was characterized by his deep concern for how he would look to the people. Appearances were everything. Even in death, Saul was more worried about his reputation than he was worried about what God wanted him to do.
But David is another story. David’s primary concern from the time he was a boy was God’s purpose in everything. No matter what happened, David put God first. Even when he sinned, he quickly acknowledged his sin and humbled himself before God, accepting God’s judgment for his sin. He wasn’t concerned about what the people would say about him. He wanted to do what was right and just in the eyes of God. And the people loved him.
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Far too often, you and I are much more like Saul than David. We spend many of our days trying to impress the people around us, rather than in trying to please God. We find it difficult, and sometimes impossible to stand up for Jesus – mostly because what the Bible says is not “politically correct” these days. Even if we keep silent when we don’t agree with what’s happening, our very silence gives our consent to the evil going on around us. Why? Because we want to be liked. We want the approval of our peers. We want to be popular. But are we?
When it gets down to basics, people respect people who stick by their convictions, no matter how unpopular those convictions are. Who do you respect the most? The guy at the office that is always telling dirty jokes, or the one who politely but firmly refuses to listen to those jokes? With whom would you be first to share a confidence – the woman who is always talking about everyone else in the office, or the one who risks her own popularity by not having anything to do with the coffee break gossip-fests?
If you want to win friends and influence people, stop worrying about how you look to them. And start worrying about how you look to God. He will honor your devotion and exalt you in the eyes of others.
“Commit your way to the Lord; trust in Him and He will do this: He will make your righteousness shine like the dawn, the justice of your cause like the noonday sun.” Psalm 37:5-6
From Dogwood Ministries, Inc.
J-R-and-Bonnie@dogwoodministries.org
Visit us at www.dogwoodministries.org
Used with Permission
