Is the passive resistive in your life reluctant to change?

When leading the passive resistive through listening, first, we need to be peaceful. Second, we must be patient. Third, we need to reveal a painless first step. This first step must be easy with little perceived conflict: “For the waywardness of the simple will kill them, and the complacency of fools will destroy them; but whoever listens to me will live in safety and be at ease, without fear of harm” (Proverbs 1:32-33). Listening to wisdom guides us to offering the complacent passive resistive a safe, easy, and confident first step.

Remember, a passive resistive person dislikes change. He often considers it evil, so change must be presented in simple, bite-sized portions. In an unthreatening fashion, this reflects our understanding of the desire for contentment resident in his heart. Step-by-step, we work through his indecision stemming from his slowness to process and reluctance to commit. Solomon said that a prudent man gives thought to his steps (Proverbs 14:15), and that a sluggard can learn from an ant who stores its food in summer and gathers it at harvest — one step at a time (Proverbs 6:6-8).

Connect with the heart of the passive resistive and be peaceful. Deflect his difficult behavior and be patient. Reflect his heart and reveal a painless first step. Make it practical by taking the end goal and breaking it into small steps. Reveal only one painless step at a time, or the passive resistive will perceive too much conflict and not act at all. All the while, surrender to the Holy Spirit who will guide you to lead the passive resistive through listening.

Episode 79: Leading the Passive Resistive Through Listening from mitchkrusetv on Vimeo.