There are three common types of toxic relationships: negative, controlling, and the tempters. Chances are you have experienced all three of these toxic relationships in your life. Chances are that you have been toxic to someone else in one of these three ways. Do as God’s Word says and don’t let yourself be deceived and led astray by toxic relationships. More importantly, don’t be toxic to others because you will lead them astray.
What types of toxic relationships do you currently have more of in your life?
For sure on the negative here; confessing there are some negative toxic relationships in my world; have to give the controlling and the tempters some thought. And oh my goodness! I don’t want to be ANY of these to any one else! I am grateful for this Soul Detox session!
And now to the TEXT.
I have asked myself and now I have to ask you. Seriously! What will you do with these verses?
3 And everyone who has this hope in him continues purifying himself, since God is pure. 4 Everyone who keeps sinning is violating Torah — indeed, sin is violation of Torah. 5 You know that he appeared in order to take away sins, and that there is no sin in him. 6 So no one who remains united with him continues sinning; everyone who does continue sinning has neither seen him nor known him.
And this one. How do we reconcile what we see in people and what we read here? And the politically correct phrase thrown around: ‘don’t judge me’ – how can we not see what is clearly before us? And how is that we are accused of judging when ABBA has clearly given the judgment right here in these passages?
10 Here is how one can distinguish clearly between God’s children and those of the Adversary: everyone who does not continue doing what is right is not from God. Likewise, anyone who fails to keep loving his brother is not from God.
The people in your life can be one of the most important spiritual assets or be one of your worst curses. Those relationships that are a curse to you are toxic. This week you learn from God’s Word about the dangers of toxic relationships and the importance of surrounding yourself with the right people.
“Bad company corrupts good character.” Describe a time when you experienced this warning in your life. What did you learn from your experience?
32 . . . If dead people are not raised, we might as well live by the saying, “Let’s eat and drink, for tomorrow we die!” 33 Don’t be fooled. “Bad company ruins good character.” 34 Come to your senses! Live righteously and stop sinning! There are some people who lack knowledge of God — I say this to your shame.
When it comes to cultural toxins, the bottom line is that we must flee from sin and the things that can cause us to sin. Instead, we must strive for a life of purity. Strive for the things that matter to God and not for the things that matter to others.
What things do you need to start focusing on that will help you draw closer to Christ?
It is not enough for us to flee the toxins that so easily beset us. We MUST pursue after we flee to be whole. It is the pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, steadfastness and gentleness in YESHUA that gives us health, and wholeness, and freedom in this corrupt culture.
20 Oh, Timothy! Keep safe what has been entrusted to you. Turn away from the ungodly babblings and the argumentative opposition of what is falsely called “knowledge.”
21 For many who promise this “knowledge” have missed the mark, as far as the faith is concerned. Grace be with you.
It’s very easy to get trapped by cultural toxins because it’s easy to rationalize them in our head. Most of us have probably had the following thought: what may be dangerous for you may not be dangerous for me. God’s Word says something different. Paul tells us in 1 Corinthians 6 that just because you can, doesn’t mean you should.
What standards are you using to filter out cultural toxins in your life? How well do you think your standards match God’s?
We do not always meet it; but we should never be found not trying.
1 Thessalonians 5:21-23 King James Version (KJV)
21 Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
22 Abstain from all appearance of evil.
23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
We are glad you are here; stay a while, look around, and be encouraged. We estimate there to be over 3,000 posts here at The White Stone Blog. Please know my hope is ALWAYS to help and NEVER harm. I have voiced many opinions and thoughts here since 2007 and by now I MAY NOT EVEN AGREE with all of them and some of my grammar and punctuation likely needs editing. But this is changeless: JESUS is our ONLY Savior and Hope. Do you KNOW Him?
