Title: Avoid Toxic Relationships
Memorize: Make no friendship with an angry man, and with a furious man do not go. Proverbs 22:24 (Nkjv)
Bible Reading: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 (Nkjv)
[1] But know this, that in the last days perilous times will come:
[2] For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
[3] unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good,
[4] traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
[5] having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!
Message:
It is God’s desire that we have godly friendships that uplift, support, and challenge us to grow in faith. We were created as relational beings, hence the need for friendships. Some relationships will help a fellow grow spiritually, while others may be toxic and pull such a fellow away from God. This is why we must be careful about being friends with people who exhibit negative behaviour, as their influence can corrupt our hearts. Toxic relationships can drain a person’s joy. It can also disrupt the fellow’s peace and lead him or her to cultivate ungodly habits.
Beloved, you must be intentional about the company you keep. Even Jesus was intentional about the company He kept. He loved everyone, but He had certain people whom we can call His close associates. In Matthew 17:1, the Bible tells us that He took Peter, James, and John with Him to a high mountain, where He was transfigured before them. If you have friends who constantly get angry or engage in sinful habits, it is time to distance yourself from them and make friends with people who will encourage you to live a holy life.
My dear child, if you notice that your friendship with someone is harming your faith, don’t be afraid to let go of the friendship. Pray for wisdom to choose the right friends and trust that God will bring the right people into your life.
Reflection:
Do you have any friends who influence you to engage in sinful habits?
HYMN 12: LEAD US HEAVENLY FATHER LEAD US
1 Lead us, heavenly Father, lead us
o’er the world’s tempestuous sea;
guard us, guide us, keep us, feed us,
for we have no help but thee;
yet possessing every blessing,
if our God our Father be.
2 Saviour, breathe forgiveness o’er us:
all our weakness thou dost know;
thou didst tread this earth before us,
thou didst feel its keenest woe;
lone and dreary, faint and weary,
through the desert thou didst go.
3 Spirit of our God, descending,
fill our hearts with heavenly joy,
love with every passion blending,
pleasure that can never cloy:
thus provided, pardoned, guided,
nothing can our peace destroy.
Bible In One Year: Mark 12:1-27, Deuteronomy 5-7
Authors: Pastor E. A. Adeboye and Pastor Folu Adeboye