Maintaining Healthy Relationships

Relationships are important to God. He did not design us to do life alone. We need to mindful of what healthy relationships look like to God.

 

How does a healthy relationship look?

1 Thessalonians 5:12-15 (NKJV) – And we urge you, brethren, to recognize those who labor among you, and are over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. Be at peace among yourselves.

Now we exhort you, brethren, warn those who are unruly, comfort the fainthearted, uphold the weak, be patient with all. See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all.

Romans 12:18 (NKJV) – If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.

There are some people who will not allow us to live in peace with, but we need to try to live peacefully with them. Don’t take it personally when people don’t receive us. God said, “help the weak and be patient toward one another”.

Be patient

Be kind

 

 

 

How Do We Maintain Healthy Relationships?

James 1: 19-21 (NKJV) – So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.  Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness, the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.

Respect and appreciate our spiritual leaders. Anybody that has spiritual guidance. We have to live at peace with all people. Just because they don’t want to does not mean we do not put forth the effort. We have to encourage people and walk alongside them. We have to be kind to people.

 

“When you follow the teachings of God you can have healthy relationships.” – Min. Michelle Jackson

 

 

Quick to Hear, Slow to Speak 

Hearing means we give attention to it. If we are going to have healthy relationships we have to be quick to listen and slow to speak.

We have to develop an attitude that helps us.

Proverbs 10:19 (NKJV) – In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, But he who restrains his lips is wise.

“Sin is unavoidable when you talk too much!” – Min. Michelle Jackson

Proverbs 17:27 (NKJV) – He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.

Proverbs 18:13 (NKJV) – He who answers a matter before he hears it, It is folly and shame to him.

Proverbs 29:20 (NKJV) – Do you see a man hasty in his words?  There is more hope for a fool than for him.

When we adopt this attitude to be quick to listen and slow to speak we can avoid things that can cause us to have unhealthy relationships.

Avoid Anger that Hurts/Destroys Relationships

Ephesians 4:26 (NKJV) – “Be angry, and do not sin”: do not let the sun go down on your wrath,

Proverbs 14:29 (NKJV) – He who is slow to wrath has great understanding, But he who is impulsive exalts folly.

Proverbs 16:32 (NKJV) – He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit than he who takes a city.

The Bible never said that we can’t get angry; we simply have a responsibility to be slow to anger, do not sin, and be quick to let it go.  Because, we know that ultimately, human anger does not produce the righteousness of God.  God’s anger brings salvation and healing.

“If you are trying to handle anger on your own, you are not going to be successful.” -Min. Michelle Jackson

We must avoid negative comments and unwanted and untimely advice. Anger has to be mastered and yielded through the Holy Spirit. Our anger does not produce God’s righteousness. We must avoid harsh words.

 

Get Rid of all Filth

We need to get rid of all filth in our lives; that is, the internal filth that no one can see.

“The way you rid yourself of filth is align yourself with the Word of God.” – Minister Michelle Jackson

 

Get Rid of the Evil

Get rid of those things that are vicious, spiteful, and malicious.

 

Humbly Accept God’s Word

The ingrafted, implanted word of God.

We humbly accept His engrafted word of God, but it doesn’t happen unless you have a healthy relationship with God.

“Our first relationship has to be with Him.” – Minister Michelle Jackson