Your Job is to Stop the Bad Guys
· Interact 500-2500 people a year
· 40% same 5 people
· Jesus – family, friends, enemies, possessed
· How did Jesus manage His relationships?
Wise, Foolish, Evil
Proverbs 24:1-3, 5-7 Be not envious of evil men, nor desire to be with them, for their hearts devise violence, and their lips talk of trouble…A wiseman is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might, for by wise guidance you can wage your war, and in abundance of counselors there is victory. Wisdom is too high for a fool; in the gate he does not open his mouth.
· Most people are foolish
· We are all foolish in some area
· We all have wisdom in some area
Evil People
1. Intentionally dangerous
2. “Righteous” victim
4. Hurt & hurting
3. Tormented & tormenting
5. Controlling, demanding, domineering
6. Threatening – fear/punishment
7. Win-Lose – no empathy or compassion
8. Live by demonic
= if you engage, you will enrage
Live by Demonic = Professional relationship (cops, attorneys, counselors)
= Jesus & Judas
Foolish People
= Everyone foolish in areas & at times
1. Not less intelligent or less educated
2. Irresponsible, unteachable, always have an excuse
3. Denies reality & does not learn from failure
4. Selfish (low empathy) & blameshifts
5. Burden givers, not burden lifters
6. Life draining, not life giving
7. May be fun but not respected
8. Mainly moved by pain
= consequences, boundaries, assignments
Live by Flesh = Pastoral relationship
WARNING – gravity pulls from foolish to evil
= Jesus & Peter
Wise People
= No one wise in every area
1. Not most intelligence or education – humble & teachable
2. Self-motivated to mature
3. Embrace reality & changes to align w/reality
4. Empathy & awareness of how their actions affect others
5. Responsible & follows through on tasks
6. Has a pattern of apologizing, repenting owning failure
7. Healthy conflict & correction grows the relationship
8. Looking at where they started, you see progress
= more time, energy, money, access, information
Live by Spirit = Personal Relationship
*notebook story
6 Kinds of Relationships
1. Wise + Foolish = parental relationship
2. Wise + Evil = distant relationship
3. Foolish + Foolish = codependent relationship
4. Foolish + Evil = abusive relationship
5. Evil + Evil = dangerous relationship
6. Wise + Wise = healthy relationship
Discussion Questions
1. In all honesty, would you describe your life a mainly wise, foolish, or evil up to this point?
2. In what area(s) could you help others get wise, even if it’s learning from your mistakes?
3. In what area could you use some wisdom to make changes? What is your plan to get that wisdom?
4. How can we pray for you?
