Speaking the Truth In Love
How to Be an Assertive Christian
by Ruth Koch & Kenneth Haugk
Summary
All human beings have the right and responsibility to live an authentic life, true to their personal beliefs and values. Christians need to learn to live authentically, so that we can be courageous in our relationships, honoring both self and others. We must believe in every person’s basic human rights, accept our human limitations, and maintain appropriate personal boundaries. In addition, we must learn to respond appropriately in love: aggressively, assertively, or passively as determined by our circumstances.
Author’s Website
Speaking the Truth in Love - Book by Ruth Koch and Kenneth Haugk
Favorite Quotes
“Assertive living means choosing how to respond to people and events, and Jesus is the model for assertive Christians. Jesus first chose to love others, and that choice made his responses clear examples of the assertive life-style. But sometimes, again by assertive choice, Jesus responded aggressively or passively. The key is in the loving and in the choosing.”
As you scan the whole counsel of God, you come to appreciate the complexity of the Christian life, and you can learn to recognize the oversimplified counsel that does not do justice to the richly interwoven, beautifully balanced life God wants you to live.”
“Responding to requests is based primarily on two rights: the right others have to make a request, and the right you have to grant, refuse, or negotiate another’s request. Along with these two rights goes your right to all the necessary information you need to be fully aware of the nature of the request.”
“Assertive behavior is loving behavior, and that is why assertive Christians not only refuse to behave abusively toward others, but also refuse to let others abuse them. It is not a kindness to allow others to abuse you, because by allowing abuse, you are actually encouraging sin.”
