What Are Spiritual Boundaries In Dating
Spiritual boundaries are also necessary in dating. Praying, worshipping, studying scripture, and being spiritually vulnerable are all actions which bind two peoples souls together. When this binding occurs outside of marriage, the possibility of unpairing can threaten the spiritual well-being of both individuals.
Being A Good Listener Is Important
Just as there are several verses about guarding how we talk and how much we talk, there are many verses that discuss how we are to be a good listener. We should not only hear what the other person has to say, but also listen to their emphasis, and seek to understand the meaning behind the words they are conveying.
17) Proverbs 18:2 A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.
18)Proverbs 25:12 Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.
19)Proverbs 19:27 Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.
How Can Good Communication Ensure The Happiness Of A Marriage Relationship
An infallible technique: the channels effective. Honesty: it is impossible to have a good communication if there is no sincerity on both sides. so that the channels effective works, than se It is about each one being honest with what they feel, with what happens to them and with what they need.
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What Is Communication In Marriage 5 Scriptures That Teach You To Watch Your Mouth
Working as a Certified Christian Life & Marriage Coach definitely blesses me in being able to offer my clients the best of both worlds. I have been able to apply effective coaching strategies, tools, and resources while being guided by the Holy Spirit and applying the greatest resource of allthe Word of God. For the sake of not alienating anyone, some of the lessons below apply to all couples seeking an answer to the question, what is communication?
What Does The Bible Say About Dating Relationships
I wasnt a Christian during my dating years and ended up winging it. I dont recommend that approach. God offers a better way.
Its easy to be tossed off course, especially in dating, when we arent certain of our identity. As Christians, our worth and who we are rests with Christ. However, we might place our importance and purpose on a person rather than God. This piece offers verses that assure us of our identity.
One verse that comes to mind for many when asked about dating is 2 Corinthians 6:14 which says Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? This verse, in context, pertains to believers. It encourages mindfulness when making alliances, but the principle mentioned relates to dating and important interactions.
The New Testament mentions the two greatest commandments. The first is to love the Lord our God with all our heart, soul, mind, and strength. The second is to love others as ourselves. Why not focus on both commandments when dating?
The fruit of the Spirit, as noted in Galatians 5:22-23, is full of good things. Would you want to date someone who displayed these characteristics? Why not allow God to produce this fruit in you as well?
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Relationships And Real Wealth
I may not have much money, but Im filthy rich in relationships. The person who said this had his priorities in order, because he understood the true value of things on this earth. There is an enormous difference between loving things and using people and loving people and using things.
First Kings 19:19-21 marks a permanent transition in the lives of two men: Elijah and Elisha:
So Elijah went down from there and found Elisha son of Shaphat. He was plowing with twelve yoke of oxen, and he himself was driving the twelfth pair. Elijah went up to him and threw his cloak around him. Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. Let me kiss my father and mother good-by, he said, and then I will come with you.
Go back, Elijah replied. What have I done to you?
So Elisha left him and went back. He took his yoke of oxen and slaughtered them. He burned the plowing equipment to cook the meat and gave it to the people, and they ate. Then he set out to follow Elijah and became his attendant.
Elisha, whose name means my God is salvation, proved to be a good student and a faithful friend who was more than equipped for the task. When Elijah attempted to persuade Elisha to stay behind for Elijahs final journey, the younger man refused saying, As surely as the Lord lives and as you live, I will not leave you .
Relationships are the currency of Gods Kingdom. The one who wins in life is not the one who has the most toys, but the one who has the best relationships.
Communication Scriptures For Your Marriage
Good communication is said to be a lifeline to the health of a good marriage. It is pretty obvious to all who are wise, that there are good ways and harmful ways to communicate with each other. To help you to better discern the good from the harmful, you will find below, Bible verses dealing with how we are to talk to each other and how God wants us to listen to each other. The following communication scriptures come from the New International Version of the Bible unless noted otherwise:
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Talking Too Much In Conversation
Talking too much always leads to problems. It not only is selfish and makes it more difficult to listen to whom youre speaking to, but the Bible says that it leads to trouble.
13)Proverbs 12:18 There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
14)Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.
15)Matthew 5:37 Let what you say be simply Yes or No anything more than this comes from evil.
16)Proverbs 18:13 If one gives an answer before he hears, it is his folly and shame.
G We Should Treat Others With Forgiveness
Rather than holding a grudge or harboring bitterness and resentment, we must forgive those who wrong us. Did you notice that many of these qualities are needed only when you have a complaint against someone? So you cant excuse yourself by saying, Id treat him right if he would treat me better. You wouldnt need patience, forbearance, or forgiveness if everyone treated you well!
We are to forgive just as the Lord forgave you. Thats a lot, isnt it! The Greek word used here for forgiveness has the nuance of undeserved favor. We didnt deserve Gods forgiveness, but He provided for it and granted it freely in Christ at great cost to Himself. God didnt say, Dont worry about it its no big deal. He paid the price, but He doesnt make us pay. Gods forgiveness means that He will never bring up our sins as evidence to condemn us. He never hauls out our past as leverage against us. Even though He legitimately could, the Lord doesnt make us feel put down because He was so magnanimous as to forgive us. His forgiveness means total acceptance and restored fellowship with us.
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What About Saul Samuel And The Witch Of Endor
First Samuel 28:125 contains a somewhat confusing account that seems to be the exception to the rule about talking to the dead. After the death of the prophet Samuel, King Saul was terrified of the threatening Philistine army and desperate to know the Lord’s will. In his helpless desperation, he resorted to consulting with a medium, the witch of Endor.
Using demonic powers of sorcery, she called up Samuel. But when he appeared, even she was startled, for she had expected a satanic apparition and not Samuel himself. Shocked that God had intervened for Saul, the witch of Endor knew this “spirit coming up out of the ground” was not the result of her demonic conjuring.
So, Samuel’s appearance here can only be explained as the unprecedented intervention of the Lord in response to Saul’s hopeless desperation, permitting him one firm and final encounter with the prophet. The event in no way indicates God’s endorsement of talking to the dead or consulting with mediums. In fact, Saul was condemned to death for these actions in 1 Chronicles 10:13-14.
God has repeatedly made it clear in his Word that guidance is never to be obtained from mediums, physics, or sorcerers, but rather, from the Lord himself.
Summary And Key Concepts
In order to be a disciple who is effective in the world, in witnessing, discipling another and in whatever he does, it is important to be effective in interpersonal relationships. This study is one that has emphasized this reality. We are ambassadors for Christ and should represent Him well in this foreign land in which we live.
Important variables are dependence, independence and interdependence. We are to work toward being interdependent, which carries with it the idea of autonomy. Dependence and independence are both poor variables for effective interpersonal relationships.
Central in interpersonal relationships is the quality of my self-concept. Self-concept is the organization of all the ways I see myself. It is characterized by stability, as well as fluidity. It is important because I will interpret what goes on around me in my world based on how I see myself. Simply becoming a Christian does not change my self-concept or move it to being more positive. Our Father wants us to see ourselves realistically. He also wants us to move to positive ways of seeing ourselves.
It is important to practice acceptance of others. This is the same as exercising grace toward them. Acceptance is grace in action. This acceptance should enable one to become more vulnerable and enter relationships more authentically.
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Communication Scriptures To Help You In Your Marriage:
Do not be quick with your mouth, do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few.
If anyone considers himself religious and yet does not keep a tight rein on his tongue, he deceives himself and his religion is worthless.
The tongue of the wise commends knowledge, but the mouth of the fool gushes folly.
The heart of the righteous weighs its answers, but the mouth of the wicked gushes evil.
But I tell you that men will have to give account on the day of judgment for every careless word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.
A wise mans heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction.
The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.
A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.
Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.
A wise man fears the Lord and shuns evil, but a fool is hotheaded and reckless. A quick-tempered man does foolish things, and a crafty man is hated.
A patient man has great understanding, but a quick-tempered man displays folly.
An angry man stirs up dissension, and a hot-tempered one commits many sins.
Practice Listening To What Your Spouse Is Saying
It has often been said that God gave us two ears and one mouth so that we would listen twice as much as we talk. This is a wise principle in communication. We must practice listening.
Something that will help with this is practicing active listening. We do this by repeating what our spouse said in order to get confirmation. For instance, one could say, This is what I hear you saying, you feel neglected when I watch TV all night. Is that correct? By repeating, you get to clarify your spouses words and intentions. You also show him or her that you are trying to understand, which is important in communication.
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What Does The Bible Say About Relationships
What does the Bible say about relationships? We all have themwith friends, spouses, parents, children, and more. Some flow easily and bring much joy. Others not so much. What, then, should we do?
The Bible provides guidance on interaction between men and women, mankind and our Savior, and relationships between believers. Knowing these truths helps us make better decisions and navigate in a righteous manner.
Honor And Accept Gender Differences
The next principle necessary in marital communication is not only knowing your mate but accepting and honoring your mate as the man or the woman God made them to be. A common source of miscommunication in marriage is the simple fact that men and women are different. Not only does the opposite sex have many physical and emotional differences but communication differences as well, and these differences are often amplified in the marriage union. A great amount of fighting in marriage comes from not understanding and accepting these differences.
Many women grow up with a female best friend who they share all their feelings with, and in return, the best friend primarily gives affirmation. Men are typically more goal-oriented communicators. Communication is meant to accomplish something. Often male communication is used to decide where one is going, how to get there, and then what to do after getting there. It has a goal in mind. Whereas for a woman many times the goal is different. The goal could be as simple as expression, feeling heard and accepted.
Often women cry out, Men! And men cry out, Women! Both cry out in despair because they cannot figure out the other. The Bible teaches that God chose man and woman for one another. Eve was taken from Adams ribs and formed perfectly to match him. Though different, man and woman were made for one another, and when unified in a godly marriage, there may be no greater way in which they demonstrate the image of God .
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Sauls Attempt To Speak To Samuel Who Was Dead
An example of someone who tried to speak to the dead is found in 1 Samuel 28. The prophet Samuel had died and King Saul learned that the Philistines were gathered together to go to war against Israel. Saul feared greatly when he saw their army, so he prayed to God for advice, but God did not answer.
Saul became desperate and told his servants to find a woman with a familiar spirit. Once a woman was found, Saul disguised himself and went to her at night. He asked her to call upon the spirit to bring up someone. She refused out of fear of what would happen to her if she did it, but Saul swore upon the Lords name she would not be harmed.
The woman asked who he wanted her to call up and Saul told her Samuel. Immediately she had a terrifying vision. Saul asked her what she had seen and she said she had seen gods coming out of the earth and an old man covered with a head covering. Saul perceived it was Samuel and he bowed down to the ground. Then the old man, whom Saul could not see, chastised him for disturbing him. Despite this, Saul asked him what to do about the Philistines.
The old man said that God departed from Saul and was His enemy because he had not obeyed the Lord. He added that Saul and his sons, would be captured by the Philistines. When Saul heard this, he was consumed by fear and fainted. Later we learn that Saul was captured and he and his sons were killed.
Mining For Goodphilippians : 8
Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
During the Gold Rush of the mid 19th century, prospectors would scoop up pan after pan of rocks and carefully wash away the useless lumps in hopes of finding just one gold nugget. We need to be prospectors of the good in other family members.
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I Defining Effective Communication:
A. A preliminary definition The process of sharing information with another person in such a way that the senders message is understood as he intended it. Unless the sender and receiver have come to a common meaning, they havent communicated effectively. Wayne Mack, Your Family Gods Way. What are some principles we can draw from this definition? B. Expanding our definition 1. How would the following verses help us to possibly strengthen this definition? 1 Corinthians 10:31: Whether, then, you eat or drink or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God. Colossians 1:18: He is also head of the body, the church and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. Psalm 119:105: Thy word is a lamp to my feet, and a light to my path.
Spiritual Guidance Comes From God Alone
The Bible teaches that spiritual guidance should be sought from God alone through Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit. He has provided everything we need for this life in his Holy Word:
As we know Jesus better, his divine power gives us everything we need for living a godly life. He has called us to receive his own glory and goodness!
All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It straightens us out and teaches us to do what is right. It is God’s way of preparing us in every way, fully equipped for every good thing God wants us to do.
Jesus is the only mediator we need between this world and the world to come:
For there is only one God and one Mediator who can reconcile God and people. He is the man Christ Jesus.
That is why we have a great High Priest who has gone to heaven, Jesus the Son of God. Let us cling to him and never stop trusting him.
Our God is a living God. Believers have no reason to seek the dead:
When someone tells you to consult mediums and spiritists, who whisper and mutter, should not a people inquire of their God? Why consult the dead on behalf of the living? Consult Gods instruction and the testimony of warning. If anyone does not speak according to this word, they have no light of dawn.
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