Relationships require a great deal of time and attention to be successful. The first thing to realize is that we have to budget our relationships as we would budget finances. Sounds odd but it is true.
The Bible has many warnings about seeking fellowship with foolish and wicked people. This is not to say that we should not share God’s love and His salvation with such people. They absolutely need to hear this Good News and have an opportunity to repent of their ways.
Consider these verses to help clarify the concept of being wise in our choice of relationships.
Psalm 26:4-5 I have hated the assembly of evildoers and will not sit with the wicked.
Proverbs 24:1-2 Do not be envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking.
1 Corinthians 5:11 But now I have written to you not to keep company with anyone named a brother, who is sexually immoral, or covetous, or an idolater, or a reviler, or a drunkard, or an extortioner- not even to eat with such a person.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For you are the temple of the living God. As God has said: “I will dwell in them and walk among them.
I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Therefore “Come out from among them and be separate, says the Lord. Do not touch what is unclean, and I will receive you.”
“I will be a Father to you, and you shall be My sons and daughters, Says the Lord Almighty.”
2 John 1:9-11 For many deceivers have gone out into the world who do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. Look to yourselves, that we do not lose those things we worked for, but that we may receive a full reward. Whoever transgresses and does not abide in the doctrine of Christ does not have God. He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son. If anyone comes to you and does not bring this doctrine, do not receive him into your house nor greet him; for he who greets him shares in his evil deeds.
Basically don’t invite trouble on yourself by bringing darkness into your home. Rather bring light out into the world. Sadly, for some reason, people tend to stay in bad relationships and justify this weakness to themselves. They continue to indulge bad behavior and push away those that try to guide them to the truth.
We have to manage our time and money with great care, especially these days. Supply chain disruptions and potential job loss from misguided, vax crazed people mandating public health as a religion. When did it become okay for those without a license to practice medicine, to diagnose ailments and prescribe medications? Hello! There is a document called the Bill of Rights in this nation that has tragically been trampled on every day since the onset of corona 2020.
It is more important than ever to assess our relationships and allocate our precious resources by putting a high priority on relationships that honor God. Find people with similar values to fellowship with regularly. We are made to be social, not socially distanced, and need encouragement from each other. There is a friend that sticks closer than a brother is from Proverbs 18:24.
Our family relationships are not to be forgotten. We are commanded to honor our parents and love our neighbors, which includes our siblings! This does not mean that we let loved ones walk all over us. There are boundaries in this area as well.
While people of good will seek peace with all mankind, nevertheless, we are called to stand up and stand out as a light for God and His people. To fight for those that don’t have a voice or are being silenced and canceled. To defend our God given rights and to acknowledge our deep and desperate need for Jesus Christ, the Son of the Living God.
This is a spiritual battle and we need to focus our energy through prayer and inquiring of the Lord. “Where do You want to send us and what would You have us do with the time that is given to us?”
Onward Christian Soldier!
Get in alignment with your assignment. Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth. Amen!
You can listen to the podcast of this blog by clicking the link below
https://www.faithbyholyfire.com/podcast/episode/7003a457/ep12-relationship-101
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