TOXIC

Part 4: Toxic Relationships

April 23, 2023

(1 Samuel 18:1-12 NIV) After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself. Jonathan took off the robe he was wearing and gave it to David, along with his tunic, and even his sword, his bow and his belt. Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops, and Saul’s officers as well. When the men were returning home after David had killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with timbrels and lyres. As they danced, they sang: “Saul has slain his thousands, and David his tens of thousands.” Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. “They have credited David with tens of thousands,” he thought, “but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?” And from that time on Saul kept a close eye on David. The next day an evil spirit from God came forcefully on Saul. He was prophesying in his house, while David was playing the lyre, as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and he hurled it, saying to himself, “I’ll pin David to the wall.” But David eluded him twice. Saul was afraid of David…

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• Realize you cannot .

(John 5:30 NIV) By myself I can do nothing; I judge only as I hear, and my judgment is just, for I seek not to please myself but him who sent me.

• Learn how to toxic behaviors.

(Proverbs 4:23 NIV) Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.

• Stop trying to and change the .

(Proverbs 9:8 MSG NIV) If you reason with an arrogant cynic, you’ll get slapped in the face; confront bad behavior and get a kick in the shins. So don’t waste your time on a scoffer; all you’ll get for your pains is abuse. But if you correct those who care about life, that’s different—they’ll love you for it!

(1 Corinthians 15:33-34 NIV) Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” Come back to your senses…

• Set clear .

(Proverbs 27:12 ERV) Wise people see trouble coming and get out of its way, but fools go straight to the trouble and suffer for it.

(2 Timothy 2:23-26 NLT) Again I say, don’t get involved in foolish, ignorant arguments that only start fights. A servant of the Lord must not quarrel but must be kind to everyone, be able to teach, and be patient with difficult people. Gently instruct those who oppose the truth. Perhaps God will change those people’s hearts, and they will learn the truth. Then they will come to their senses and escape from the devil’s trap. For they have been held captive by him to do whatever he wants.

1. my relationships.

(Colossians 2:19 NIV) …the whole body, supported and held together by its ligaments and sinews, grows as God causes it to grow.

2. my relationships.

(Romans 12:17-18 NIV) Do not repay anyone evil for evil…If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

3. Sever any relationships.

(Proverbs 27:19 GN) A mirror reflects a man’s face but what he is really like is shown by the kind of friends he chooses.

(Proverbs 13:20 NIV) He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.

(2 Corinthians 6:14 NIV) Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?

(Proverbs 22:10 NIV) Drive out the mocker, and out goes strife; quarrels and insults are ended.

4. Initiate some relationships.

(Hebrews 10:25 NIV) Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching.

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