Daily Devotional
How to Avoid Appeasement
“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
February 19, 2023
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.
FOR YOUR GIFT TO THE MINISTRY
Front Porch Moments by Gayle Foster
WITH KEY INSIGHTS FROM HER FATHER, ADRIAN ROGERS
I try to unplug each morning with Jesus with just my rocking chair, my Bible, and a pen.
Having a secret place is very important because I know that Jesus is always there waiting for me. I know where I can find Him! His presence is everywhere, but there are places where it is so thick you can cut it with a knife. You may not even have a front porch, but there is a secret place for you as well. God’s invitations are for anyone who will respond. There is no more important request than the one found in Psalm 27:8: “My heart has heard You say, ‘Come and talk with Me.’ And my heart responds, ‘Lord, I am coming.’”
