By Dale Galloway
Jesus, the wisest, most knowledgeable person on the art of human relationships, gave Christians the Golden Rule principle: “Treat others as you want to be treated” (see Luke 6:31).
If I want to build positive relationships with other people, then I need to put myself in their place and try to understand them. If I want people to like me I need to treat them as I would like to be treated if I were in their place. The following five values prove to be helpful steps toward living out the Golden Rule. They form a foundation for treating everyone as you want to be treated.
1. People Want to Feel They Are of Worth.
As our greatest example of this attitude, Jesus never met an unimportant person. He said, “…Inasmuch as you did it to one of the least of these My brethren, you did it to Me” (Matt. 25:40). The way we treat others is the way we are treating Jesus. We should treat others the same special way we would treat Jesus.
2. People Want to Be Listened To.
If you want people to like you, start practicing the biblical admonition: “Don’t ever forget that it is best to listen much, speak little, and not become angry” (James 1:19, TLB). In other words, when in a conversation, stop worrying about what to say next and start listening with an interested ear to what the other person says, and you will gain a friend.
3. People Want to Be Appreciated.
Mark Twain said he could live for three weeks on one compliment. Let’s face it: I like to be valued and so do you. Everyone relishes receiving appreciation. If you want to get along well with people, then give them the words of praise they crave. Do this, and the people will respond positively to you for it.
4. People Want to Be Built Up and Edified.
We live in a world of constant put-downs. If you become known as someone who builds people up and edifies them, you’ll stand head and shoulders above the crowd. Victor Hugo stated, “Man lives more by affirmation than by bread.”
5. People Want to Be Treated with Empathy.
God’s way is for us to weep with those who weep and laugh with those who laugh (Rom. 12:15).
Five More Steps to Help You Relate Well to Others
6. Be willing to change.
7. Think of yourself the way God thinks of you.
8. Treat yourself as a best friend, accepting yourself unconditionally.
9. Find freedom by owning up to your faults, admitting when you’re wrong.
10. Care enough for yourself to share yourself with others.
Things you might be interested in ......
plus this will be available for viewing & downloading at any time following the event!
FOR STAFF LEADERSHIP: Ministry Location Service, for finding new staff members or ministry opportunities - http://www.lifeway.com/jobboard
FOR DISCIPLESHIP: Stand Against the Wind by Erwin McManus, a small group study on character building - http://www.lifeway.com/product/005286793/
FOR WOMEN'S MINISTRY: Host a Beth Moore 'Living Proof' simulcast, September 10, 2010 - http://www.lifeway.com/event/?id=194&CID=women-eupdate-Simulcast-051110-feature
FOR WOMEN'S MINISTRY: "Faithful, Abundant, True" by Kay Arthur, Beth Moore, & Priscilla Shirer - http://www.lifeway.com/product/005189430/
