- Joined
- Apr 25, 2006
- Messages
- 18,404
Manipulative relationships
'Fear of man is a dangerous trap.' PROVERBS 29:25
Sometimes we are so desperate to make a relationship happen we will pay a costly price. Teen movies are packed with parables like the geeky kid who has to get a make over to win the school's approval or the best friend who never says no and gets pushed around, manipulated and taking for granted.
The moral of the tale is: can we ever be happy always trying to make other people happy? Solomon said, 'Fear of man is a dangerous trap.' Relationships can't thrive with one person calling all the shots while the other struggles for approval. Paul said he had no interest in 'trying to make people accept him.' His only interest was pleasing God (see Galatians 1:10 NCV).
God will never ask you to compromise your values or disobey His will just to be in the good graces of another person. In fact, it's better to be alone than to allow anyone other than God to control you. Let people know up front that, while you'd like their approval, you can live without it if you have to.
Respect others, and make it clear you expect the same in return. Above all, never let your emotions win out over wisdom, or drown out the voice of God in your life. When you're insecure you can be drawn into wrong relationships. Security is a fundamental part of your identity as God's child. Paul says you 'are God's workmanship...created...in Christ Jesus' (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).
God wants you free to be who you are. That's why when you ask Him to guide your relationships; He'll help you to form the right ones.
written by Bob Gass
'Fear of man is a dangerous trap.' PROVERBS 29:25
Sometimes we are so desperate to make a relationship happen we will pay a costly price. Teen movies are packed with parables like the geeky kid who has to get a make over to win the school's approval or the best friend who never says no and gets pushed around, manipulated and taking for granted.
The moral of the tale is: can we ever be happy always trying to make other people happy? Solomon said, 'Fear of man is a dangerous trap.' Relationships can't thrive with one person calling all the shots while the other struggles for approval. Paul said he had no interest in 'trying to make people accept him.' His only interest was pleasing God (see Galatians 1:10 NCV).
God will never ask you to compromise your values or disobey His will just to be in the good graces of another person. In fact, it's better to be alone than to allow anyone other than God to control you. Let people know up front that, while you'd like their approval, you can live without it if you have to.
Respect others, and make it clear you expect the same in return. Above all, never let your emotions win out over wisdom, or drown out the voice of God in your life. When you're insecure you can be drawn into wrong relationships. Security is a fundamental part of your identity as God's child. Paul says you 'are God's workmanship...created...in Christ Jesus' (Ephesians 2:10 NIV).
God wants you free to be who you are. That's why when you ask Him to guide your relationships; He'll help you to form the right ones.
written by Bob Gass
