I do not pretend to be liked by everyone, but I certainly want to be liked by everyone. How to be winsome? The Apostle Paul said that he made himself a servant to win more people (1 Corinthians 9:19). It's clear Scripture has principles that we can lean on for being winsome, with the purpose of more being saved. 1. Realize first that people can be won over. In an age of relativism and political correctness, we sometimes ignore that people can be persuaded towards the gospel, and our behavior has something to do with this (cf. 1 Peter 3:15).

2. Understand that being winsome is something made, not something had. The Apostle Paul stated that he had to make himself a servant - I take this to mean it was a conscious decision to be all things to all people, and not automatic.

3. Know your motivation. "I do this all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in their blessings." (1 Corinthians 9:23). My selfish motivation to win people must be checked. Because if I'm honest with myself, I need people to like me because it feeds my need for acceptance. It's only when we are caught up in a greater vision that our winsomeness finds its deepest purpose.