“Hypocrite! First remove the plank from your own eye and then you will be able to see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:5). Review: God has specified in His Word the method for resolving conflict and reconciling with an offender. When we choose to gossip/slander or verbally attack the offender, [...]
Review (Part 1): Big Idea: Scripture specifies the procedure for resolving conflict between two parties. A failure to follow this procedure is sin and results in damaged relationships and the defamation of God's character. Three Ungodly Approaches to resolving conflict: Slander and gossip. Unfortunately, most consider these acceptable/respectable sins. Romans 1:28 ff listed among such [...]
Big Idea: Scripture specifies the procedure for resolving conflict between two parties. A failure to follow this procedure is sin and results in damaged relationships and the defamation of God’s character. Three Ungodly Approaches: Slander/Gossip (purveyor or recipient) about the offender Slander is speaking false and malicious words about another person so that their reputation [...]
Big Idea: To prevent relational damage, conflict must be resolved in a timely and biblical manner. Unity must be preserved and restored so that God is glorified. Description Flight Fight Face It Motto “Peace at any price” “It’s my way or the highway” “We can work it out” Focus Me (self-protection) You (Blame or [...]
Relationships 101 When interpersonal problems are mishandled →CONFLICT When conflict is unresolved → DAMAGED RELATIONSHIPS (Latin ‘conflictus” meaning collision; past participle ‘confligere’ meaning strike together) When damaged relationships are not repaired → SEVERED TIES Ungodly Statistic Non-denominational evangelical Christians’ divorce rate: 38% Baptists’ divorce rate: 29% Atheists’/Agnostics’ divorce rate: 21% South has greatest percentage of [...]
When we enter into a relationship, we bring not only our love and warmth but also the attitudes, behaviors and habits from all previous relationships. Each of these relationships molded and formed us into the people we are today. Perhaps our most significant relationship was the one we had with our parent(s). The way in [...]
Letting hurt and anger go unattended can cause serious, long-term damage to a marriage. Emotional wounds must be addressed in a biblically constructive manner or the offended party's spirit will eventually close. Definitions: spirit (‘pneuma’ means by which man relates to God) is a person’s innermost being; the “real you” soul (‘psyche’ means by which [...]
When someone you care about is grieving after a loss, it can be difficult to know what to say or do. The bereaved struggle with a variety of intense, painful emotions, which include depression, anger, guilt, and profound sadness. Often, they also feel isolated and alone in their grief, since the intense pain and difficult [...]
Am I enabling my adult child’s addiction? As parents, we seek to protect our children, even when they are adults. But in some cases, “helping” may actually be harming. By protecting your adult child from the consequences of their addiction, you may also be enabling them to continue using drugs and alcohol, as they never [...]
Research findings are highly consistent concerning compatibility. The most stable marriages are those involving two people with many similarities. For couples, similarities are money in the bank and differences are like debts that must be paid. When people come from similar backgrounds they operate from a position of strength. Their relationship is made easier by [...]
