Evaluating Your Relationships to Stay in Line with God’s Purpose

The relationships we build in life often shape us more than our careers or personal achievements. While success and accomplishments are important, their true value lies in the connections that enrich our lives, offering support, joy, and meaning that material success cannot provide. In this post, I will discuss the importance of evaluating your relationships and how doing so can help you align with God’s purpose, leading to spiritual growth and fulfillment.

Guarding Your Heart

Relationships have the power to shape our lives and can impact God’s plans for us. The Bible reminds us to “guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life” (Proverbs 4:23). We must be careful about who and what we let into our hearts. Just as Adam and Eve were misled by the serpent, we too must watch for people or situations that could lead us away from God’s path.

Guarding your heart means being intentional about the people you allow into your life. When you meet someone, pay attention to their actions and character, rather than just their words. As Jesus said, “By their fruit you will recognize them” (Matthew 7:16). Don’t ignore red flags; they may be God’s way of warning you. Paul wisely advises us in 1 Thessalonians 5:21-22, “Test everything. Hold on to what is good; reject every kind of evil.”

Aligning Goals and Desires

When evaluating your relationships, consider whether the goals and desires of those around you align with your own. Surround yourself with people whose vision complements yours, ensuring that your paths support each other’s growth. Remember not to be unequally yoked, as this can lead to conflict and hinder your progress. Choose relationships that encourage you to pursue your goals and align with your values.

The Influence of Relationships

There’s an old saying: “Show me your friends, and I’ll show you who you are.” From my own experience, I’ve seen how much relationships can shape our lives. During a period of isolation, I grew spiritually and realized that many of my struggles stemmed from staying in relationships out of fear of being alone. I sought validation from others, holding onto connections that harmed my spiritual well-being. Letting go of these relationships allowed me to refocus on my faith and find peace.

Commitment to God’s Purpose

In Luke 9:59-62, Jesus speaks about the cost of following Him. When a man asks to bury his father first, Jesus replies, “Let the dead bury their own dead, but you go and proclaim the kingdom of God.” Similarly, when another man wants to say goodbye to his family, Jesus tells him, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” These passages remind us that following Jesus requires unwavering commitment, even if it means cutting ties with people—friends or family—who hinder us from walking in our true purpose.

Matthew 10:37 reinforces this: “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Prioritizing Jesus above all else, even when it’s difficult, is essential for spiritual growth.

Evaluating Your Relationships: The Impact

Sometimes, the people who hold us back from God’s purpose are the ones closest to us—family, friends, and loved ones. As Ephesians 6:12 reminds us, “Our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms.” The problem may not lie in the love we have for them, but in their mindset and the spiritual influences that bind them.

If we’re not careful, staying close to people with negative influences can cause us to adopt their mindsets. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns us, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”

Even if your family and friends seem supportive, it’s crucial to evaluate your relationships and assess whether their influence is helping or hindering your spiritual growth. Ask yourself: Are these relationships bringing me closer to Christ, or pulling me away? Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Surround yourself with people who encourage your growth, not those who keep you stagnant.

Prioritizing God’s Calling Over Distractions

Let me share a personal story from my school days. I was a good student who kept up with my work, but one year, I ended up in the same classes as my best friend. We had so much fun together that I lost focus on my studies and failed the grade while my friend advanced to high school. The following year, I buckled down, focused on my work, and graduated with honors.

This experience taught me that not everything that feels good is beneficial. Sometimes, the things that bring us temporary pleasure can distract us from God’s plan. Galatians 5:17 illustrates this struggle: “For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.” We must resist immediate distractions to stay true to our spiritual journey.

Avoiding Distractions from God’s Calling

The enemy often uses pleasure to distract us from the calling God has placed on our lives. We’ve all heard phrases like, “Life is too short; we must have fun,” or “You only live once, so enjoy the moment.” While these ideas sound appealing, they can lead us to focus on fleeting pleasures and forget about our responsibilities or God’s greater purpose for us.

We often don’t realize how short life is until the things of this world no longer satisfy us, leaving us looking back on dreams left unfulfilled. When life doesn’t go as planned, it’s easy to blame God. But Proverbs 19:3 reminds us, “A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.” Instead of blaming God, we need to examine our choices and ensure they align with His plan.

Closing Prayer

Heavenly Father, I pray for everyone reading this message. May it encourage them to evaluate their relationships, especially those that may be hindering the destiny You have set for them. Grant them the strength to remove unhealthy connections and fill them with Your wisdom and guidance. Make their path clear, leading them toward the purpose You have for them. All for Your glory, Amen.