REFORM – 4/27/11
Relationships are Messy! Why?
Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with
wise becomes wise, but the companion of
fools will suffer harm.”
We need much wisdom
Bible speaks much of
The
RELATIONSHIPS
1. Neighbor/Companion -- a fellow-citizen; another
person, to associate with (as a companion)
2. Friend -- human love for another; act of being a friend
3. Brother -- a kinsman or blood-relative; someone of the
same tribe
4. Father and Mother -- parents by blood or adoption;
head of household, group, or clan
5. Wife -- woman or wife
Thecharacter of the fool vs. the wise
person
way the wise and the fool operate in
The
RELATIONSHIPS.
May we EXAMINE our RELATIONSHIPS
Tonight:
Authority
Family
Proverbs 3:29
“Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.”
What are reasons people plan evil against
their neighbor?
Inwhat ways does this evil typically show
itself?
Who is my neighbor? – (Luke 10:25-37)
“Neighbor” is the broadest relationship
category in the Bible
According to the parable of the Good
Samaritan, anyone we come in contact
with is our neighbor.
How do we live at peace with our neighbors?
1. Don‟t be annoying
“Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud
voice, rising early in the morning, will be
counted as a curse.” (27:14)
2. Don‟t be presumptuous
“Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor‟s
house, les he have his fill of you and hate
you.” (25:17)
How do we live at peace with our neighbors?
3. Don‟t despise or belittle your neighbor
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but
a man of understanding remains silent.” (11:12)
“The poor is despised even by his neighbor, but
the rich has many friends.” (14:20)
How do we live at peace with our neighbors?
4. Show compassion to your neighbor
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, but
blessed is he who is generous to the poor.”
(14:21)
“The soul of the wicked desires evil; his
neighbor finds no mercy in his eyes.” (21:10)
How do we live at peace with our neighbors?
5. Deal honestly with your neighbor (24:28, 25:18)
“Do not say to your neighbor, „Go and come
again, tomorrow I will give it,‟ when you have it
with you.” (3:28
“Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows,
and death, is the man who deceives his
neighbor and says, “I am only joking!” (26:18-
19)
How do we live at peace with our neighbors?
6. Do not stir up strife, but settle disputes privately
“For lack of wood the fire goes out, and where
there is no whisperer, quarreling ceases.”
(26:20)
“Do not hastily bring into court… Argue your
case with your neighbor himself, and do not
reveal another‟s secret.” (25:8-9)
How do we live at peace with our neighbors?
7. Be an example of righteous living
“With his mouth the godless man would
destroy his neighbor, but by knowledge the
righteous are delivered.” (11:9)
“One who is righteous is a guide to his
neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads
them astray.” (12:26)
Proverbs 17:17a
“A friend loves at all times…”
“Friendship” carries with it the idea of joint
interest, trust, and confidence. A partnership
exists between friends that does no exist between
neighbors.
Proverbs speaks to friendship in terms of
maintaining the closeness of this relationship
through loyalty that transcends circumstances.
Because the mark of friendship is loyalty and joined
purpose, we must choose our friends carefully.
Warnings against poor choices in friends:
“A man of many companions may come to ruin…”
(18:24a)
“Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go
with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle
yourself in a snare.” (22:24-25)
“The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding,
but a companion of gluttons shames his father.” (28:7)
“Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man
is deserted by his friends.” (19:4)
A good friend…
1. Seeks not his own
“Many seek the favor of a generous man, and
everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. All a
poor man‟s brothers hate him; how much more do
friends go far from him! He pursues them with
words, but does not have them.” (19:6-7)
2. Forgives wrongs suffered
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who
repeats a matter separates close friends.” (17:9)
A good friend…
3. Speaks the truth in love
“A dishonest man spreads strife and a whisperer
separates close friends.” (16:28)
“Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the
kisses of an enemy.” (27:6)
4. Bears another‟s burdens
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but
there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
(18:24)
“A friend loves at all times and a brother is
born for adversity.” (17:17)
“A brother offended is more unyielding
than a strong city, and quarreling is like
the bars of a castle.” (18:19)
Parent’s Night next Wednesday
Proverbs on Purity
Proverbs on Miscellaneous Character
Traits