Divine Direction Series

DECISIONS AND RELATIONSHIPS

I. RELATIONSHIPS AND FRIENDS

Godly Instructions:
‘A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ Proverbs 18:24 KJV
‘A man of many friends comes to ruin, But there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother.’ Proverbs 18:24 NASV
‘A man of many friends comes to RUIN…’ NASV
‘RUIN’ – ‘To Shake, To Destroy, To Ruin’…

3 Keys In Regarding Godly Relationships… From KJV
1. A Man Who Has Friends Must Be Friendly…
‘A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly…’
2. Friends Need Chosen Wisely…
‘The righteous is more excellent than his neighbor: but the way of the wicked seduceth them.’ Proverbs 12:26 KJV
‘The righteous is a guide to his neighbor, But the way of the wicked leads them astray.’ Proverbs 12:26 NASV
‘Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.’ 2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
‘Bad company (“Friends”) corrupt good morals.’ I Corinthians 15:33 NASV
3. Friends Need Kept Carefully…

Two Things That Will Destroy Relationships:
(1) Unrealistic Needs
(2) Unrealistic Expectations

Two Things That Build Relationships:
(1) Honesty…
‘Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.’ Proverbs 27:6
(2) Loyalty
‘..and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.’ Proverbs 18:24

II. RELATIONSHIPS AND FOOLS

‘How long, ye simple ones, will ye love simplicity? And the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge? Proverbs 1:22
‘The fool hath said in his heart that there is no God.’ Psalm 14:1

3 Words In The Hebrew That Are Translated “Fool”
1. A ‘Hard-Headed Man’
2. A ‘Thick-Headed Man’
3. The ‘Empty-Headed Man’

What Do You Do With A Fool?
‘Go from the presence of a foolish man, when thou perceives not in him the lips of knowledge.’ Proverbs 14:7

III. RELATIONSHIPS WITH FOES

A. Extend Forgiveness
‘Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God…’ Hebrews 12:15a
‘..lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled.’ Hebrews 12:15b
‘And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.’ Ephesians 4:32
‘Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the Lord, and he shall save thee.’ Proverbs 20:22

B. Extend Kindness
‘If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink: For thou shalt heap coals of fire upon his head, and the Lord shall reward thee.’ Proverbs 25:21-22