RELATIONSHIPS

Lesson 4 for the 22nd of January, 2010

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE
YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?
A. With your attitude

B. With anyone you offended or anyone who offended you

C. With everyone you mix with

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?
A1 With your Our attitude when treating
others must be like the apostle
attitude wrote:
“I beseech you to walk…
with all lowliness and
gentleness, with
longsuffering, bearing with
one another in love”
(Ephesians, 4: 1-2)

That is the same example Jesus

showed:
“Take My yoke upon you and
learn from Me, for I am
gentle and lowly in heart,
and you will find rest for
your souls” (Matthew, 11: 29)

It doesn’t matter how others treat us, because our behaviour must be always
humble, considering others to be superior to our selves (Philippians, 2: 3);
our attitude must be calm and peaceful.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?
A2 With your attitude
“Therefore "If your enemy is
hungry, feed him; If he is
thirsty, give him a drink; For in so
doing you will heap coals of fire on
his head." Do not be overcome by
evil, but overcome evil with good”
(Romans, 12: 20-21)
“But I tell you not to resist
an evil person. But whoever
slaps you on your right
cheek, turn the other to
him also” (Matthew, 5: 39)
“Taking revenge is not a signal of strength, but
of weakness. Those who let their temper
getting rough and set loving and self-control
Christian principles aside suffer defeats.
However, those who control their desire of
revenge and turn any harm into a chance to
show goodness have victory over him/her and
over the powers of evil. That is much nobler
and much more effective, since acting that
way we can disarm an enemy and win a soul”
(SDA Bible Commentary, on Romans, 12: 21)
 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?

A3 With your attitude

According to the advice of the apostle in 1 Peter, 3: 8-12,

our relationships must be governed by these principles:

 Seeking unity.
 Being compassionate.
 Loving our brothers.
 Being merciful.
 Showing friendly.
 Don’t returning evil for evil.
 Blessing even when we are loathed.
 No speaking ill of anyone.
 No lying.
 Seeking peace.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?

B1
With anyone you offended or
anyone who offended you
When a person offends another one, the next things
can happen:
ATTITUDE OFFENDER OFFENDED ATTITUDE
Right He apologizes He forgives Right
Right He apologizes He doesn’t forgive Wrong
Wrong He doesn’t apologize He forgives Right
Wrong He doesn’t apologize He doesn’t forgive Wrong
Stand in the offender and the offended shoes and reason which one
is the right attitude.
If you have offended your
brother, go and apologize.
 WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?
B1

With anyone you

offended or anyone “For if you
who offended you forgive men
their
trespasses,
your
heavenly
Father will
also forgive
you”
(Matthew, 6: 14)

“Man can be saved only through the wonderful

forbearance of God in the forgiveness of his
many sins and transgressions. But those who
are blessed by the mercy of God should
exercise the same spirit of forbearance and
forgiveness toward those who constitute the
Lord’s family” (E.G.W., The upward look, January 29)
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?
B2 With anyone you offended or
anyone who offended you

“Confess your trespasses

to one another, and pray
for one another, that you
may be healed. The
effective, fervent prayer
of a righteous man avails
much” (James, 5: 16)

If your brother
offended you, go and Matthew, 5: 23-24

tell him.
Maybe he or she is not aware that he/she offended you. Talking frankly and
lovingly will create more union between the members of the Church.
That will redound to God’s work benefit.
WHAT CAN YOU DO TO IMPROVE YOUR RELATIONSHIPS?
C With everyone you mix with

Gossip destroys good relationships.

Our work as believers is to edify, not to destroy.
There is advice in the Word of God about how to mix with
others so we edify each other.

Our words must be blessing to those who listen them (Ephesians, 4: 29)

We must promote things that lead to peace (Romans, 14: 19)

We must support those who have personal problems (1 Thessalonians, 5: 14)

We must give words of encouragement and approval (1 Thessalonians, 5: 11)

We must emphasize the positive virtues of people (Jeremiah, 18: 20)

We must have a joyful attitude (1 Thessalonians, 5: 16)

We must act as mediators in relationships (1 Corinthians, 12: 25)

“Therefore, whatever you want men to do
to you, do also to them, for this is the
Law and the Prophets” (Matthew, 7: 12)