02-14-21 Kevin Goins - Guarding our Relationships

“Guarding Our Relationships” 
Proverbs 18
Not everyone has a sweetheart, but everyone has relationships.  On this Valentine’s Day 2021 we are going to get help from the Book of Proverbs on how to protect our relationships.                  

I If there is anything we all need help with, it is p_________________ our relationships.

-Relationships can be the greatest source of c___________________ to us, and relationships can be the greatest source of h_____________________.

II First, if we want satisfying and life-giving relationships, we must reject s_________________________ (Proverbs 18:1).

 A. There are m______________ reason why someone might separate himself from others.

B. Solomon says this guy separates himself from people because “he seeks d______________________.”

C. Unfriendliness and a lack of s________________ judgment go hand in hand.

D. Some are alone, and they like being alone because they can devote all their energy to getting what they w_______________.

III Second, if we want satisfying and life-giving relationships, we must be willing to l_________________________ (Proverbs 18:13).

 A.  Why is it we do not listen?

  1. I don’t listen because I’m s__________-c________________________.

  2. I don’t listen because I’m p________________________.

  3. I don’t listen because I’m not interested in r______________________.

  4. I don’t listen because I’m a c________________________ freak.

5. I don’t listen because I don’t want to u________________________ any other point of view. 

B. Not listening is folly and shame – It’s folly because when I don’t listen, I am acting like _________________.

C. Not listening is also shame – It’s a shame because when I don’t listen, I am treating the other person as my i__________________________.

D. Some of us are having problems in our relationships because we simply will not make the effort to listen, but real listening c__________________________ us.

E. Listening has the power to give birth to u___________________________ relationships; not listening has the power to s___________________ the door on any relationship.  

IV Finally, if we want satisfying and life-giving relationships, we must be l____________________ (Proverbs 18:24).

A. Having many friends will not keep you from being hurt, because when it comes to friends, it is not q_________________________ that counts, but q_________________.

B. Having many f__________________ may not save you in hard times, and even a b____________________, depending on the circumstances, may not be willing to help.

C. Job 6:14 says something very convicting:  “A despairing man should have the devotion of his friends, even though he f___________________________ the fear of the Almighty.”