How to Avoid Appeasement

PRAY OVER THIS

“That we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head—Christ.” Ephesians 4:14-15

 

PONDER THIS

Don’t practice avoidance, and don’t practice appeasement. It’s a very unhealthy marriage when one mate always gives in to have peace and appease the other. When one mate gets his or her way most of the time and seems to dominate, your marriage is in serious trouble. One man said, “I like to go to the seashore, my wife likes to go to the mountains, so we compromise and go to the mountains.” If that’s the kind of marriage you have, it’s going to end up on the rocks.

One of these days those smoldering rags that are down in your heart will burst into an open flame, and your home will be engulfed. And if it doesn’t erupt into a raging fire because you keep your feelings stuffed down inside you, you’re going to be a self-pitying person. You will be living—though you may not separate—with an emotional divorce.

Don’t practice avoidance or appeasement; instead, do as Ephesians 4:15 says and “speak the truth in love.”

What is your tendency in relationships: dominating or appeasing?

What does it look like to speak the truth in love?

PRACTICE THIS

Think through the last few arguments you have had. Consider where you need God’s help to grow in love during those times.

 

LWF Dr. Adrian Rogers