Hindrances to Cultivating Godly Relationships

Posted on March 26, 2015 by Graeme Wilson in Victory Call

Many things vie for our attention and time. Godly relationships that are easy seem to always find time, but those that are more difficult seem to find excuses.

I list 5 here:
1. Misaligned priorities
a. Remember we do what’s MOST IMPORTANT to us at any given moment (that is not the same as doing what we WANT to do most at any given moment).
b. If cultivating godly relationships is more about us, our enjoyment, etc., rather than God’s glory, our focus can easily misguide us.
c. If godly relationships are not a priority we will not put forth the effort to cultivate them.
d. The urgent pushes out the important. Unless we make conscious, intentional effort – it just won’t happen.

2. Laziness – We all have a long list of excuses to hinder cultivating Godly relationships. We have to decide whether to use those excuses or ignore them.

3. Cliques – exclusive groups are death to godly relationships and to community. It is our responsibility to invite others along.

4. Gossip.
a. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends. Proverbs 16:28
b. Unsafe people break confidences and talk about it to others. Gossip is destructive to relationships, destructive to churches, destructive to the reputation of Jesus Christ.
c. Don’t instigate gossip; Don’t participate in gossip.

5.Intimacy illusion
a. Beware of the misuse of social media. It can be good when used appropriately but in many ways social media, email and texting are breeding isolation.

Be on guard. Cultivation requires removing the rock and boulders that will hinder growth. Pursue Christ and then pursue godly relationships with others.

Blessings, Diane

Diane Hunt is a Biblical Counselor, women’s conference and retreat speaker and author. She serves as the Director of Partner Care and Director of Women’s Ministries at America’s Keswick. She and her husband John have 2 married children and 4 grandchildren. She loves reveling in warm sunny climates and playing with her grandchildren.

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