Building Godly Relationships

The Scriptures are full of guidance in doing relationships God's way. Let's look at His specific commands regarding relationships in the book of Ephesians. God gives very practical insights into how we are to treat each other. My summary behind in each verse is in bold.

  • Ephesians 4:2 - "Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love" (NIV). Be humble, gentle, bear with one another.
  • Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (NIV). Keep unity.
  • Ephesians 4:15 - "Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will in all things grow up into him who is the Head, that is, Christ" (NIV). Speak the truth.
  • Ephesians 4:25 - "Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to his neighbor, for we are all members of one body" (NIV). Don't lie to each other.
  • Ephesians 4:26 - “In your anger do not sin”: Do not let the sun go down while you are still angry" (NIV). Watch your anger.
  • Ephesians 4:29 - "Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen" (NIV). Watch your words.
  • Ephesians 4:32 - "Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you" (NIV). Be kind and forgiving.
  • Ephesians 5:1-2 - "Be imitators of God, therefore, as dearly loved children and live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God" (NIV). Sacrifice for one another.
  • Ephesians 5:3-4 - "But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God’s holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or coarse joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving" (NIV). Watch your jokes.
  • Ephesians 5:21 - "Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ" (NIV). Be submitted to one another.
  • Ephesians 5:22 - "Wives, submit to your husbands as to the Lord" (NIV). Wives, submit to your husbands.
  • Ephesians 5:25 - "Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her" (NIV). Husbands, love your wives.
  • Ephesians 6:1 - "Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right" (NIV). Children, obey your parents.
  • Ephesians 6:4 - "Fathers, do not exasperate your children; instead, bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord" (NIV). Fathers, teach your children God's ways.
  • Ephesians 6:5 - "Slaves, obey your earthly masters with respect and fear, and with sincerity of heart, just as you would obey Christ" (NIV). Employees, obey your boss.
  • Ephesians 6:7 - "Serve wholeheartedly, as if you were serving the Lord, not men" (NIV). Employees, serve Jesus at work.
  • Ephesians 6:9 - "And masters, treat your slaves in the same way. Do not threaten them, since you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in heaven, and there is no favoritism with him" (NIV). Bosses, treat your employees fairly.
  • Ephesians 6:12 - "For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms" (NIV). Don't fight people. Fight the enemy, the devil.
  • Ephesians 6:18 - "And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the saints" (NIV). Pray for your brothers and sisters.
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This is only one small book of the New Testament that is full of God's ways in relationships. He has a lot to say! Obedience to God is the key for our relationships. We often think, "If the other person would just change, our relationship would be so much better." But, the truth is - when I obey God and His ways, all of my relationships change for the better.

For More Study
  • Romans 12
  • Ephesians 4-6
  • Colossians 3-4:6
  • 1 Timothy 5

Thoughts and Questions for Application
  1. Look back through the verses above in Ephesians, how many of the relational commands have to do with our mouths? What is Jesus saying to you about your mouth?
  2. Look back at Ephesians 5:21 - what should be the relational foundation of a marriage?
  3. Notice that the section in the Bible on the armor of God (Eph. 6) is set in the context of relationships. What is the main area that the enemy attacks in our lives? Relationships. How would your relationships change if you fought the right enemy (i.e. not "flesh and blood")?

​Memorization

Ephesians 4:3 - "Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace" (NIV).