Devastation is the Norm

Mark Estepp - 2/25/2024

What brings relational devastation?

1. Lack of Wisdom

Proverbs 2:12-19

12 Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse, 13 who have left the straight paths to walk in dark ways,

14 who delight in doing wrong and rejoice in the perverseness of evil, 15 whose paths are crooked and who are devious in their ways.

16 Wisdom will save you also from the adulterous woman, from the wayward woman with her seductive words, 17 who has left the partner of her youth and ignored the covenant she made before God.

18 Surely her house leads down to death and her paths to the spirits of the dead.

19 None who go to her return or attain the paths of life.

Proverbs 13:20

Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

Proverbs 11:13

A gossip betrays a confidence but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.

Proverbs 20:19

A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.

Proverbs 18:24

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 19:11

A person’s wisdom yields patience; it is to one’s glory to overlook an offense.

Patient - not wicked, wayward, foolish. Not taking offense from the gossip, unreliable, or hurtful.

2. Poor Use of Words

Proverbs 12:18

The words of the reckless pierce like swords, but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

Proverbs 29:11

Fools give full vent to their rage, but the wise bring calm in the end.

Proverbs 17:27

The one who has knowledge uses words with restraint, and whoever has understanding is even-tempered.

Proverbs 16:24

Gracious words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.

Proverbs 21:23

Those who guard their mouths and their tongues keep themselves from calamity.

Ask God for wisdom. Actively choose wise words.  

What is the wise thing for me to do regarding this relationship?

What is the wise thing for me to say at this moment?

Proverbs 18:24

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

John 15:13

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.