Tag: relationships

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Philippians Devotionals

Seeking Jesus’ interests

Praying for the city

For I have no one else like-minded who will genuinely care about your interests; all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. (Philippians 2:20-21)

As I read those words, I was thinking this morning, “Am I seeking Jesus’ interests?”

It’s so easy for me to get distracted by things that are trivial or stupid. To waste my time on these things.

But I want to have my Lord’s interests.

And for him, that’s the people he’s put in my life.

That was Timothy’s interest, and that was certainly Paul’s.

So my prayer today is the same as yesterday’s.

Father, give me your Son’s heart for your people. I want his interests to be mine.

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Galatians

The fruit of the Spirit in our relationships

Galatians

A lot of times, we think of our relationship with God merely in terms of how we relate to him. We think, “Am I reading my Bible? Am I praying? Am I going to church?”

But as we look at our relationship with him and how spiritually healthy we are as Christians, an important gauge of these things is how we relate to others.

We see this throughout this entire passage.

It seems that within the midst of this controversy about circumcision and the need to follow Jewish law, a lot of interpersonal relationship problems were popping out in Galatia: discord, dissensions, and factions, jealousy and envy, and the provoking of others to anger.

And so Paul warns them,

If you keep on biting and devouring each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other. (Galatians 5:15)

He then shows us the fruit that should be seen in our lives as we deal with each other: love, patience, kindness, goodness, and faithfulness. (Galatians 5:22-23)

And as we saw yesterday, he told the Galatians, “You crucified your old way of life. Don’t go back to it. Don’t indulge in it. Rather, walk each day in step with the Spirit.

But you can’t do that when you’re conceited, constantly provoking and envying one another.” (Galatians 5:24-26)

How then should we act toward each other? Paul becomes fiercely practical in chapter 6. He says,

Brothers, if someone is caught in a sin, you who are spiritual should restore him gently. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. (Galatians 6:1)

Two of the major problems with legalistic Christianity are pride and condemnation. Pride in that “I’m good,” and condemnation in that “You’re not.”

And so it’s possible in Galatia that whenever someone fell into sin, the others fell on that person like a pack of wolves.

But Paul says, “Are you truly spiritual? Are you truly led by God’s Spirit in your life? Is his fruit coming out of your life? Then this is what it looks like: Gentleness. Kindness. Love. Patience.

It’s with that spirit that you should deal with that person. Don’t look to destroy them. Look to restore them.

And do it with a spirit of humility knowing that you are weak too. Know that you can fall too. So don’t just look at other people’s faults. Keep watch on yourself as well.”

Paul says further,

Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2)

Looking at the context, it seems that Paul is specifically talking about supporting others when they are burdened with the guilt of their own sin and their struggle against it.

And he says, “Do you want to fulfill the law of Christ in your life? Don’t be devouring those who are struggling with sin. Support them. Pray for them.”

This of course extends beyond simply dealing with others’ sins to every part of their lives. When a person is struggling with problems that are beyond their ability to handle, stand by their side and support them.

That’s what a truly spiritual person looks like. Not just reading their Bibles. Not just praying. But bursting with the fruit of the Spirit in all their relationships.

I have to admit, I’m not sure my life always looks like that. But I want that. How about you?

Categories
Proverbs

How to build relationships…and tear them down

In this passage, we see some important principles for building and maintaining our relationships.

One of the key issues is watching what we say.

Solomon writes,

A wise man’s heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.

Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.  (Proverbs 16:23-24)

Whenever we talk to people, we truly need to consider what we’re saying.

Are our hearts wise enough to know what to say, and when to say it?  Are our words sweet to the souls of others and bringing healing to them?

These things build a relationship.  On the other hand,

A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends (Proverbs 16:28)

There are people that are always tearing relationships apart instead of bringing healing to them.

In some cases, they stick their noses into the affairs of others, spreading gossip and rumors concerning them, and causing their relationships to fall apart.

In other cases, they themselves are involved personally.  Someone has hurt them, and instead of dealing with them face to face, they start complaining about them to others, and gossiping about what horrible people they are.

But as Solomon says,

He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.  (Proverbs 17:9)

This of course does not mean that we should just ignore sin or try to hide sins that are causing great harm to others.

However, every day people do sin against us whether intentionally or not.  Most of the time, they’re minor annoyances.  Sometimes they’re more major.

But small or great, we do not make things better by spreading gossip about others and complaining about them to the people around us.

Rather, if it’s really bothering us, then we should do as Jesus commanded us, and confront our brother or sister face to face.  (Matthew 18:15)

And when the issue is resolved, we then need to cover it over with forgiveness, and never bring it up again.  Don’t say, “I thought I told you not to do that!  How many times do I have to tell you?”

Rather, deal with the issue at hand, without referring to the past.

Sometimes, though, if the issue is really minor, you should just drop the issue, and let it go.  Solomon tells us,

Starting a quarrel is like breaching a dam; so drop the matter before a dispute breaks out.  (Proverbs 17:14)

And again,

He who loves a quarrel loves sin; he who builds a high gate invites destruction.  (17:19)

Sometimes my wife will get on my back for not doing things a certain way, and I’ll think, “It’s so minor!  Why is she so upset about such a minor thing?”

But then God will tell me, “Yeah, it’s minor.  So don’t waste your time arguing about it.  Just do it!  If you argue, all you’re doing is building a wall in your relationship.  And if over the years you build it high enough, you can destroy your marriage.”

I often have to swallow my pride, but I think it’s one thing that has helped our marriage thrive up to this point.

Frankly though, I think she has to put up with a lot more from me than I do with her, so I’m truly grateful for her patience.  Which brings up another point.

A man of knowledge uses words with restraint, and a man of understanding is even-tempered.  (17:27)

Even when we argue with people, we should use restraint in our words, and be cautious about how we say things.  And we should be even-tempered.  It’s when we lose our temper that we often say things we regret.

How about you?  Are your words building up your relationships?  Or destroying them?