fragile Our relationships (whether inside or outside of the church community) are incredibly valuable…but also fragile. By our words and actions each day, we make choices within them that can build them up or destroy them.

Selfishness Destroys Relationships Proverbs 28:25 (CEV) “Selfish people cause trouble…” James 4: 1-2 “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battle within you? … You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight.”

Selflessness Builds Relationships Philippians 2:4 (GNT) “Look out for one another’s interests not just your own.” Galatians 5:16 (Message) “Live freely, animated and motivated by God’s Spirit. Then you won’t feed the compulsions of selfishness.”

Pride Destroys Relationships Proverbs 13:10 (Living Bible) “Pride leads to arguments” Proverbs 16:18 (NCV) “Pride leads to destruction; a proud attitude brings ruin.”

Humility Builds Relationships 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”

Insecurity & Fear Destroy Relationships Proverbs 29:25 (The Message) “The fear of human opinion disables; trusting in G OD protects you from that.”

Love Builds Relationships 1 John 4: 16 & “And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them. 18 There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear…The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”

Resentment Destroys Relationships Job 5:2 (GNT) “To worry yourself to death with resentment is a foolish, senseless thing to do.”

Hebrews 12:15 (Living Bible) “Look after each other so that not one of you will fail to find God’s best blessings. Watch out that no bitterness takes root among you, for as it springs up it causes deep trouble, hurting many in their spiritual lives.”

Forgiveness Builds Relationships Colossians 3:13 (NLT) “Make allowance for each other’s faults, and forgive anyone who offends you. Remember, the Lord forgave you, so you must forgive others.”

In Our Relationships, May We Choose To: Be Selfless (not Selfish) Be Humble (not Prideful) Be Loving (not Insecure/Fearful) Be Forgiving (not Resentful/Irritable)