God is the author of relationships. They were His idea. He founded them.
Genesis 2:18
Yahweh said, “It is not good for man to be alone.” Relationships were God’s idea, not man’s.
Genesis 2:18, 20 – No suitable helper was among the animals; God provided a companion.
Genesis 3: 6-12 Here is the first recorded difficulty in a relationship. Man’s first response after introducing sin was that the problem is with the other person.
Ecclesiastes 4:1-12 – Two are better than one.
How do you deal with a difficult relationship? Strive to be a peacemaker.
Matthew 5:9 – Blessed are the peacemakers.
Mark 9:50 – Have salt in yourselves and be at peace with one another.
Romans 12:18 – Be at peace with all men.
Romans 14:19 – Pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.
1 Thessalonians 5:13 – Live in peace with one another.
Some Keys
• Don’t fellowship with unrighteousness. 2 Co 6:14
• Walk away from evil. Pr 4:14-15
• Pray. Mt 7:7; Ja 1:5
• Be direct; talk to the person directly. Don’t talk to everyone else about the person. Mt 18:15-16
• Do not offend – Pr 18:19; 15:1 (A gentle answer turns away wrath.)
• Do not judge – Mt 7:1-5
• Put away wrath, anger, slander, and abusive speech from your own mouth. Co 3:8; Ep 4:31
• Become a good listener. Ja 1:19
• Forgive. Eph 4:32
• Walk in a spirit of gentleness. Ga 6:1
2 Corinthians 13:11 – Be made complete, live in peace, the God of peace be with you all.
The primary Hebrew word in Old Testament translated peace is “shalom.” It’s more than simply a catch phrase in a greeting. “Shalom” means completeness, wholeness, welfare, safety, tranquility, health, prosperity, soundness, quiet, contentment, peace.
James 3:13-18
You can’t control others, but you can, in the spirit of meekness, not hold strife in your own heart. Also, you can be one who embodies the gospel of “shalom.” Be a peacemaker.
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