Communicate Like Jesus (3/3)
Mar 31, 2023
3 Simple Ways to Communicate Like Jesus. Part 3
Allow Others to Reach the Right Conclusion
Another way of saying this is: Don't shove your observations down their throat.
Jesus asked powerful questions. He opened up the door for people to reach their own conclusions.
Jesus didn't tell Simon, "you don't love God as much as this sinful woman does, because she realizes she is a sinner and you think you don't have much to be forgiven for."
Instead, Jesus asked a powerful question in verse 42b, "Now which of them will love him more?"
One of the most powerful forms of influence is the ability to ask good questions.
Have you ever had someone tell you something and while you intellectually agreed with their statement, you didn't take any action?
Most of us know intellectually that physical exercise is good for us, but until we come to the conclusion that physical exercise is worth the cost, we will fail to be consistent at working out or never even show up at the gym.
The same is true of spiritual exercises like reading our Bible's regularly or praying. We intellectually grasp that in order to grow in our faith we should read the Bible and Pray, but that knowledge needs to become a reality in our lives if it will spur us to action.
One of the best ways to overcome and help others overcome the distance between intellectual knowledge and belief that results in action is by asking ourselves and other questions.
Questions challenge us to think in a safer environment. Good questions allow us to challenge our own preconceived beliefs without feeling like we have to defend ourselves.
In Action:
The next time you feel like you need to set someone straight on the truth, take a deep breath, and ask a question to help you understand where they are coming from. Not only will this help you understand the person you want to influence, but it will also equip the person you are communicating with to challenge their own thoughts.
If you want to communicate like Jesus and grow your ability to influence others ask for permission, tell stories, and ask questions.
My Prayer
My prayer for every person who reads these emails is that you would grow in your ability to communicate like Jesus... Especially in times of conflict.
36 One of the Pharisees asked him to eat with him, and he went into the Pharisee's house and took his place at the table. 37 And behold, a woman of the city, who was a sinner, when she learned that he was reclining at table in the Pharisee's house, brought an alabaster flask of ointment, 38 and standing behind him at his feet, weeping, she began to wet his feet with her tears and wiped them with the hair of her head and kissed his feet and anointed them with the ointment. 39 Now when the Pharisee who had invited him saw this, he said to himself, "If this man were a prophet, he would have known who and what sort of woman this is who is touching him, for she is a sinner." 40 And Jesus answering said to him, "Simon, I have something to say to you." And he answered, "Say it, Teacher." 41 "A certain moneylender had two debtors. One owed five hundred denarii, and the other fifty. 42 When they could not pay, he cancelled the debt of both. Now which of them will love him more?" 43 Simon answered, "The one, I suppose, for whom he cancelled the larger debt." And he said to him, "You have judged rightly." 44 Then turning toward the woman he said to Simon, "Do you see this woman? I entered your house; you gave me no water for my feet, but she has wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. 45 You gave me no kiss, but from the time I came in she has not ceased to kiss my feet. 46 You did not anoint my head with oil, but she has anointed my feet with ointment. 47 Therefore I tell you, her sins, which are many, are forgiven--for she loved much. But he who is forgiven little, loves little." 48 And he said to her, "Your sins are forgiven." 49 Then those who were at table with him began to say among themselves, "Who is this, who even forgives sins?" 50 And he said to the woman, "Your faith has saved you; go in peace." (Luke 7:36-50 ESV)
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