How do we deal with difficult people? Relationships are often broken by conflict, mis-
trust, and sin. Yet, God calls us to follow Him, act with integrity, and pursue peace in
His covenant. In our passage today, we will see how God leads His people out of con-
flict and into His promises.
I. Following God’s Call in Difficult Relationships (Genesis 31:1-21)
Recognizing When a Relationship Has Turned - Gen. 31:1-2
Seeking God’s Direction in Conflict - Gen. 31:3
James 3:16-18 – Wisdom from above is pure and peaceable.
Seeking Confirmation from Trusted Voices - Gen. 31:4-16
Proverbs 11:14, Proverbs 15:22 – The value of wise counsel.
Making a Clean Break - Gen. 31:17-21
II. Acting with Integrity in Conflict (Genesis 31:22-42)
1 Peter 2:15-17 – Integrity silences false accusations
III. The Value of Covenant Relationships (Genesis 31:43-55)
A covenant establishes an ongoing relationship
A covenant defines the boundaries and expectations of a relationship
A covenant establishes accountability in relationships
God’s new covenant of grace - Jeremiah 31:31-34; 1 Corinthians 11:23-25
Conclusion and Application:
- Are you handling your conflicts with integrity?
- How are you trusting God’s leadership in difficult relationships?
- Are you honoring the covenants you have made with God,
in marriage, in church, others?
- How have you seen God's love in the covenant He has made with us in Christ?