Finding Balance: Strengthening Relationships Through Faith

 

Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the importance of balance in our relationships, whether they be marriages, friendships, or professional connections. The foundation of our conversation was rooted in 1 Peter 5, which emphasizes the need to be sober, vigilant, well-balanced, and self-disciplined. When our lives are out of balance, it opens the door for the enemy to disrupt our relationships and personal peace. It's crucial to recognize that maintaining balance is our responsibility, not that of our spouse, children, or job.

We also delved into the significance of covenant relationships, using the story of Ruth and Naomi as a powerful example. Ruth's unwavering commitment to Naomi, despite the challenges, illustrates the strength and depth of a true covenant relationship. This kind of commitment is essential in all our relationships, as it reflects God's design for us to support and uplift one another.

Furthermore, we discussed the importance of recognizing the enemy's tactics in trying to disrupt our lives. The enemy seeks to kill, steal, and destroy, and one of his strategies is to get us out of balance. By staying vigilant and grounded in our faith, we can resist these attacks and maintain harmony in our relationships.

Lastly, we touched on the importance of community and the role of the church in our lives. Forsaking the assembly of believers can lead to isolation and imbalance. Being part of a church community helps us stay aligned with God's will and provides support and accountability.

Key Takeaways:

1. Balance is Key: Maintaining balance in life is crucial for healthy relationships. When we are out of balance, it affects every area of our lives, and it's our responsibility to address it. By keeping Christ at the center, we can use wisdom to navigate life's challenges and maintain harmony. [13:41]

2. Covenant Relationships: The story of Ruth and Naomi exemplifies the power of covenant relationships. Such relationships require commitment and support, reflecting God's design for us to uplift one another. This commitment is vital in all relationships, including marriage, friendships, and community. [25:01]

3. Recognizing the Enemy: The enemy seeks to disrupt our lives by getting us out of balance. By staying vigilant and grounded in our faith, we can resist these attacks and maintain harmony in our relationships. Recognizing the enemy's tactics is essential for spiritual victory. [43:59]

4. Community and Church: Being part of a church community is vital for spiritual growth and balance. Forsaking the assembly of believers can lead to isolation and imbalance. The church provides support, accountability, and a place to align with God's will. [25:01]

5. Walking in Wisdom: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. By walking wisely and understanding God's will, we can navigate life's challenges and maintain balance. This wisdom helps us respond to situations in a manner worthy of the gospel. [43:59]

Youtube Chapters:

- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Relationships
- [02:15] - Personal Testimony
- [05:00] - Importance of Balance
- [08:45] - Practicing Balance in Life
- [13:41] - Recognizing the Enemy
- [17:30] - Covenant Relationships
- [21:00] - Story of Ruth and Naomi
- [25:01] - Role of Community and Church
- [28:45] - Walking in Wisdom
- [32:00] - Personal Experiences
- [36:15] - Importance of Communication
- [40:00] - Staying Grounded in Faith
- [43:59] - Final Reflections
- [47:30] - Closing Remarks

Study Guide

### Bible Study Discussion Guide

#### Bible Reading
1. 1 Peter 5:8-9 - "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour."
2. Ruth 1:16-17 - "And Ruth said, Intreat me not to leave thee, or to return from following after thee: for whither thou goest, I will go; and where thou lodgest, I will lodge: thy people shall be my people, and thy God my God."
3. Ecclesiastes 5:5 - "Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay."

#### Observation Questions
1. What does 1 Peter 5:8-9 say about the enemy's tactics, and how does this relate to maintaining balance in our lives? [13:41]
2. How does the story of Ruth and Naomi illustrate the concept of covenant relationships? [25:01]
3. According to the sermon, what role does the church community play in helping us maintain balance? [25:01]
4. What examples were given in the sermon about how imbalance can affect our relationships? [43:59]

#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does the concept of being "sober and vigilant" in 1 Peter 5:8-9 apply to our daily lives and relationships? [13:41]
2. In what ways does Ruth's commitment to Naomi reflect God's design for our relationships? [25:01]
3. How can recognizing the enemy's tactics help us maintain harmony in our relationships? [43:59]
4. What does Ecclesiastes 5:5 teach us about the importance of keeping our commitments in relationships? [43:59]

#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when your life felt out of balance. What steps can you take to restore balance and prevent the enemy from disrupting your peace? [13:41]
2. Consider your current relationships. How can you demonstrate the same level of commitment and support that Ruth showed to Naomi? [25:01]
3. How can you stay vigilant in recognizing the enemy's attempts to disrupt your relationships? What practical steps can you take to resist these attacks? [43:59]
4. In what ways can you actively participate in your church community to ensure you are not isolated and out of balance? [25:01]
5. Identify an area in your life where you need to walk in wisdom. What specific actions can you take to align with God's will and maintain balance? [43:59]
6. Think of a relationship where you might have broken a commitment. How can you work towards restoring that relationship in light of Ecclesiastes 5:5? [43:59]
7. How can you ensure that Christ remains at the center of your life, helping you navigate challenges with wisdom and balance? [13:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Balance as a Foundation for Relationships
Maintaining balance in life is crucial for healthy relationships. When we are out of balance, it affects every area of our lives, and it's our responsibility to address it. By keeping Christ at the center, we can use wisdom to navigate life's challenges and maintain harmony. Balance is not just about time management but involves being sober, vigilant, and self-disciplined as emphasized in 1 Peter 5. When our lives are out of balance, it opens the door for the enemy to disrupt our relationships and personal peace. It's crucial to recognize that maintaining balance is our responsibility, not that of our spouse, children, or job. [13:41]

"For the moment all discipline seems painful rather than pleasant, but later it yields the peaceful fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it." - Hebrews 12:11 (ESV)

Reflection: Identify one area in your life where you feel out of balance. What steps can you take today to begin restoring balance in that area?


Day 2: The Power of Covenant Relationships
The story of Ruth and Naomi exemplifies the power of covenant relationships. Such relationships require commitment and support, reflecting God's design for us to uplift one another. Ruth's unwavering commitment to Naomi, despite the challenges, illustrates the strength and depth of a true covenant relationship. This kind of commitment is essential in all our relationships, as it reflects God's design for us to support and uplift one another. Covenant relationships are not just about mutual benefit but about a deep, unwavering commitment to one another's well-being. [25:01]

"Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!" - Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 (ESV)

Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life that could benefit from a deeper commitment. How can you demonstrate covenant love to that person this week?


Day 3: Recognizing and Resisting the Enemy
The enemy seeks to disrupt our lives by getting us out of balance. By staying vigilant and grounded in our faith, we can resist these attacks and maintain harmony in our relationships. Recognizing the enemy's tactics is essential for spiritual victory. The enemy's strategy is to kill, steal, and destroy, and one of his methods is to create imbalance in our lives. By being aware of these tactics and staying rooted in faith, we can protect our relationships and personal peace. [43:59]

"Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour." - 1 Peter 5:8 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one tactic the enemy uses to disrupt your peace? How can you actively resist this tactic today through prayer and faith?


Day 4: The Role of Community and Church
Being part of a church community is vital for spiritual growth and balance. Forsaking the assembly of believers can lead to isolation and imbalance. The church provides support, accountability, and a place to align with God's will. Community is not just about attending services but about being actively involved in the lives of fellow believers. The church is a place where we can find encouragement, accountability, and a deeper understanding of God's will for our lives. [25:01]

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." - Hebrews 10:24-25 (ESV)

Reflection: How can you become more involved in your church community this week? What steps can you take to build deeper connections with fellow believers?


Day 5: Walking in Wisdom
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. By walking wisely and understanding God's will, we can navigate life's challenges and maintain balance. This wisdom helps us respond to situations in a manner worthy of the gospel. Walking in wisdom involves seeking God's guidance in every decision and aligning our actions with His will. It is through wisdom that we can maintain balance and respond to life's challenges with grace and understanding. [43:59]

"Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise, making the best use of the time, because the days are evil." - Ephesians 5:15-16 (ESV)

Reflection: What is one decision you are facing where you need God's wisdom? How can you seek His guidance and make a wise choice today?

Quotes

"Yes. Go ahead. So in first Peter five, when it says be sober, be vigilant, be well balanced, be self-disciplined, this is all, this is the scripture that we wanted to put our foundation on to build on was that when you do not find yourself well balanced, then this is when the enemy, like a roaring lion, seek someone to seize upon." [00:08:54] (28 seconds)


"When your life is out of balance, it is. It is nobody's fault, but your own. And that's the number one thing you've got to realize that it's not your husband's fault. You know, it's not your wife's fault. It's not even your children's fault. It is not your boss's." [00:09:37] (16 seconds)


"Remembering that God can make everything work together for your good. But also remembering, as the Word said, that there is an enemy out there each and every day. And he's seeking to kill, steal, and destroy your marriage, your family. And as adults, please remember this. It is not about you. It is about your children, and it is about your children's children. If the enemy can get you out of God's will, which that verse stated, knowing the will of God, if the enemy can get you out of God's will, well, then that trickles down, because the Bible teaches us, everything comes from the head down. So that trickles down to your children." [00:14:22] (42 seconds)


"Just think about parenting, starting out parenting. When I had Jordan, he had colic. I had no mama. I had no idea what I was doing. If I went by how I felt, I'd probably gone and dropped him off at a lady at the church's door because I knew she would know what to do with him, but you don't go by what you feel. You go by what you know, and so we live in a generation. We live in a world where there is an enemy out seeking to steal, kill, and destroy, seeking to take away from our families and our relationships because he knows where two or more come together and agree on any one thing that shall be done. He also knows that one puts a thousand to flight, but two, ten thousand, and I pray that you young people are using that in your marriage. If you're not, you're missing the whole boat. When you pray yourself, it puts a thousand to flight, but when you gather together with your husband, or even in a covenant friendship with somebody, and you gather together and you pray, two puts ten thousand. You're limiting your resources if you're not doing that, but whenever you don't find yourself in that type of balance in your life, then that opens the door. That's what this scripture is saying, that it opens the door for the enemy to come in, and when he comes in, then there are multitudes and multitudes of issues that come about." [00:15:35] (83 seconds)


"And so just remember, as you're progressing forward in any type of relationship with a friend, with your child, co-worker, in your marriage, that there is an adversary and he is out to take those relationships from you. Because the Bible says that the devil is there to kill, steal, and destroy. That is what he's trying to do to the American family in multiple ways. Because he knows that when you're, when you come together, as in the Tower of Babel story, when anybody comes together for any reason, good or bad, when they come together, they can accomplish anything. And so you have to remember that. And I think that's number one. Because a lot of churches these days don't talk about the enemy. They don't say devil. I mean, there is a devil, y'all. Devil. That's, you know, we..." [00:23:08] (50 seconds)


"So... So... Good job. So he is... If we don't know and if we do not acknowledge that we are dealing with him, then you have no reason to persevere on to victory. You've got to realize what you're dealing with. And so whenever you come in a situation in your marriage or in relationship, we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but we wrestle against powers and principalities. So we... I feel like that that is something that the church in 2025 has lost is recognizing who our enemy is, who is trying to keep us out of balance. Your job is not trying to keep you out of balance. You need to be there to get that paycheck. And you are required to work 40 hours a week. It's not your job. Your children are children. They need things in their life. They are not trying to keep you out of balance. They are children. The only fault lies..." [00:25:00] (61 seconds)


"The only fault lies with our self when we don't quickly recognize that we are out of balance and that has to be fixed." [00:25:01] (8 seconds)


"They have been in this place almost every day of their life during that time. And so many times now you hear younger families say, well, you know, Sunday needs to be a family day. Or, you know, all these kinds of things. That is part of the enemy's plan to get you out of balance. Why? Because the word says, forsake not the assembling of yourselves together. So it's his plan to keep you thinking that you need to stay home and you need to rest rather than coming to church." [00:28:21] (33 seconds)


"I just use that as an example of all the ways that the enemy tries to distract you and get you out of balance. So I can assure you, one of the first things, when I was marriage counseling somebody, this has been quite a while ago. They came in and the person, the male in the relationship was having, you know, on your phone, an emotional relationship with somebody, I guess you'd say. And so I was talking to the wife and we were trying to counsel them through. And I said, well, the first thing you have to do is you have to get your family in church. Because that is the first step in getting things lined up in your life. Giving this one hour and 30 minutes a week at the first of the week to the Lord by saying, I commit to you, Lord, to make you first. And then all these other things that come during the week follow after. Because I used it in the first service Philippians. In Philippians it says, whatever happens. Now those are two powerful words. Whatever happens. Not, you know, if this happens or that happens. Whatever happens. I need to respond in a manner that is worthy of the gospel of Jesus Christ. So whenever you're in a relationship with somebody, what do you always have to do? You usually have to respond in some way. And keeping your life in balance, whatever happens, you're able to respond in a way that is worthy of the calling of Jesus Christ." [00:28:22] (91 seconds)


"Yes, I was in this scripture. And when it talks about being wise, not walking as fools, but as wise, do not be unwise. Then, of course, you can't help but think of the scripture from Proverbs. Proverbs 9, 10, and 12 that says the fear of the Lord is the beginning of all wisdom. So that, once again, when you're looking at those scales, the center of the scale is God. And you have to have the fear of the Lord to have wisdom to know how to navigate through parenting or a marital relationship or any type of relationship." [00:31:49] (34 seconds)


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Transcript
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