Relationship Advice?

Where do you get your advice on relationships from? The latest feed from Facebook, your best friend, your favorite movie? Keep Reading...

Psalm 1:1-2 NIV - "Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night."

Of course, you would like to say that all your best relationship input comes from God's Word. But, how do you live? Who do you spend your time listening to?

The Pharisees in Jesus' day took their cues from the people around them. They adjusted their walk and talk according to people's preferences. "They loved human praise more than praise from God" (John 14:23). Does your advice on how to relate to people come from people? If so, your advice will constantly be changing.

Our strongest relational influences come from our family as we grow up. What is normal, what is unacceptable comes from our home. When we take our family's model as the ultimate example of good relationships, we are still on shaky ground. Even the best families do not set the standard on good relationships.

Feelings of love and commitment can be a strong influence in your relationships. But are your feelings the foundation of those relationships? Jeremiah 17:9 says that the heart is deceitful above all things. So can you really trust it?

God sets the standard for all relationships. In fact he is defined by relationship - Father, Son and Holy Spirit. You cannot have solid, enduring, self-sacrificing relationships without God at the center. He is the author of life and love. His Words form the boundaries and basis for all relationships.

So who are you listening to for your relationship advice?