Readings: John 7:14-14
John:13-17; 18:1-13, 33-40

We move on now to consider another pair of opposites: assertiveness and yieldedness. I have often heard people say, 'My problem is to know when to be assertive and when to give in. Am I to be someone's doormat or am I to stand up for my rights?' A translation of the text 'Let your moderation be known until all men' (Phil. 4:5, AV) suggested by the commentator Handley Moule reads, 'Let your yieldingness be known to all men'. But total yieldedness would make us everybody's doormat (not necessarily a good thing), and total assertiveness would make us everybody's thorn in the flesh so to speak. We must possess both qualities and occupy both camps.

My dictionery defines assertiveness as 'insistence upon a right or opinion; declaring yourself, making a positive statement'. Keep in mind that assertiveness is not aggressiveness. Sometimes the two words are used interchangeably, but their sense is quite different. The word 'aggressive' carries the meaning of being hostile, offensive, disposed to attack. Christians should not be aggressive, but at times need to be assertive. The challenge we face is to know when to be assertive and when to yield.

Was Jesus an assertive Person? Of course He was. The passage before us today gives us just one glimpse of Him in this role. He was strong without being overbearing and forthright without being obnoxious. But His assertiveness was balanced by a spirit of yieldedness. He was one and the same time the most assertive and yielded Person the planet has ever seen. As with all His other qualities, He was perfectly balanced. Happy is the man or woman who knows when to be assertive and when to yield.

Blessed Lord Jesus, You who were so openly and positively assertive, help me to function in this way too. Teach me to be as balanced as you were. For Your own dear name's sake.

I don't know why I Missed this, I'm So Very Sorry. But these are certainly some Great Scriptures, that let us know that we can be Humble but still not to allow people to Walk over us.

No worries sis, easily done! Glad you found this to be of help anyways!

Jesus at the Temple
Luke 19: 45 & 46- Then he entered the temple area and began driving out those who were selling. It is written, he said to them My house will be a house of prayer, but you have made it a den of robbers.

Exactly right!!!