PASSAGE: Date, Mate, Consummate | Lesson 09
July 06, 2014 | Susan Lue
Consequences of Broken Relationships
„Hurt, shame and guilt, fear of discovery, fear of future relationships, withdrawal from others, inability to forgive others, inability to forgive self, no effort to reconcile to God, withdrawal from God, spiritual death.
„Is Healing Possible?
Consequences of Broken Relationships
„Hurt, shame and guilt, fear of discovery, fear of future relationships, withdrawal from others, inability to forgive others, inability to forgive self, no effort to reconcile to God, withdrawal from God, spiritual death.
„Is Healing Possible?
- Jacob & Leah—A Loveless relationship (Genesis 29:17-35)
- Hosea & Gomer—Adultery/Unfaithfulness (Hosea 1:3-9; 3:1-3)
- The Samaritan Woman, Sychar– Promiscuity (John 4:5-24, 39-42)
- Ananias & Sapphira—Deception (Acts 5:1-10)
- Nabal & Abigail—Arrogance, Selfishness (I Samuel 25:10-44)
- A Certain Woman—Not my fault (Mark 5:25-34)
- Miriam—Jealousy (Numbers 12:1-16)
The Broken Relationship Problem:
Conclusion: Some relationships are “broken” even if the couple are still together. Some broken relationships don’t seem to heal because there’s still anger, hurt, blame. The biblical examples above show us that true healing, holiness, happiness exist outside of a real, honest relationship with God, in spirit and in truth—because we cannot forgive, cannot love beyond man’s abilities alone. It often takes two to break relationships (see God confronting Hosea’s ability to love; see Abigail’s wisdom and intelligence did not extend to her husband), but healing requires one (Leah, Sychar, Miriam) or both (Hosea & Gomer, Nabal & Abigail) to confront sin and change. Not seeking holiness before God, not confront sin will lead to spiritual and even physical/health death (Ananias & Sapphira, Nabal). Seek every opportunity to heal rather than seek every opportunity to blame. As with a Certain Woman, she believed Jesus has the power to heal. As with Miriam, pray that God’s Presence will be restored to you for complete healing.
- Jacob & Leah—Jacob loved Rachel; Leah had low self-image, wanted Jacob to “complete”, “define” her; her blessing began when she praised the Lord
- Hosea & Gomer—Adulterous wife, children resulting from unfaithfulness; Hosea did not love Gomer enough to forgive, ask her to turn away from sin
- The Samaritan Woman, Sychar– had many men, but not satisfied; had bad reputation
- Ananias & Sapphira—they were believers and married, but both “knowing”, intentionally lied to other believers, to God, to the HS; spiritual death to both
- Nabal & Abigail—he was churlish, evil, arrogant, selfish; she independently gave away Nabal’s resources, called him names; she believed in God, he did not
- A Certain Woman—No fault of her own—cause unknown; no fault of effort—endured many treatments; no fault of patience—suffered 12 years
- Miriam—sin against God, loss of God’s Presence; affected her health (leprosy, half her flesh consumed
- „Leah, Lovelessness—The change in her relationship with God brought peace, love, blessings from God. Let God complete you, make you whole, define you!
- Hosea, Adultery and Unfaithfulness—a sacrificial God love is required for forgiveness; he had to trust and obey God to love again; the change in him resulted in clear and honest commitment in both he and Gomer
- Sychar, Promiscuity—she had to recognize her emptiness; seek to fill thirst with the Living Water; seek the True God, in Spirit and in Truth. The change in her attracted others, changed her reputation
- Ananias & Sapphira, Deception—testing the Spirit with deception leads to spiritual death; both together needed to commit to honest relationship with God, both together needed to worship God in Spirit and in Truth
- Nabal & Abigail, Arrogance and Selfishness—seek God’s HOLINESS, confront sinful behavior for correction
- A Certain Woman, Not My Fault—did not blame others or God for her long suffering; did not give up; believed Jesus has the power to heal; took opportunity to heal
- Miriam, Jealousy and Speaking out against God—her healing process: (1) separation to pray, meditate and restore perspective to seek a return of God’s presence. Ask Others to offer: (2) prayers for forgiveness, (3) prayers for healing, (4) prayers of love for her welfare, and (4) prayers for restoring God’s Presence
Conclusion: Some relationships are “broken” even if the couple are still together. Some broken relationships don’t seem to heal because there’s still anger, hurt, blame. The biblical examples above show us that true healing, holiness, happiness exist outside of a real, honest relationship with God, in spirit and in truth—because we cannot forgive, cannot love beyond man’s abilities alone. It often takes two to break relationships (see God confronting Hosea’s ability to love; see Abigail’s wisdom and intelligence did not extend to her husband), but healing requires one (Leah, Sychar, Miriam) or both (Hosea & Gomer, Nabal & Abigail) to confront sin and change. Not seeking holiness before God, not confront sin will lead to spiritual and even physical/health death (Ananias & Sapphira, Nabal). Seek every opportunity to heal rather than seek every opportunity to blame. As with a Certain Woman, she believed Jesus has the power to heal. As with Miriam, pray that God’s Presence will be restored to you for complete healing.
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