introduction

In Part 1 of this series, we discussed how our sinful human nature desires to be in control, even of God. We too often want God to act and behave according to what we want, often ending up in a wrestling match with our Creator for control.

In Part 2, we explored how our desire for control over our circumstances is equally foolish.

In this study, we will continue to explore the sinful human desire for control as it relates to controlling and manipulating other people.

control of others

section 1

We were designed to have fellowship with each other genesis 2:18 , but we are sinful and selfish, so we know from our own wickedness titus 1:15 that people are scary, unreliable, risky beings to be around titus 3:3 . Sadly, by those experiences psalm 116:11 and our own evil thoughts james 2:4 we then are bent to still seek fellowship but by means of control of others through various ways and to various degrees instead of trusting in the Lord psalm 31:11-16 . We cling to our own selfish interests philippians 2:21 and perpetually try to uphold our delusional pride galatians 6:3 i corinthians 8:1-2 instead of actually laying our lives down for each other i john 3:16 and thinking of ourselves with sober judgment romans 12:3 i corinthians 3:7 in the effort to glorify God and bless others i corinthians 10:31 i corinthians 10:33
ii corinthians 12:19 .

supporting scriptures

genesis 2:18

The Lord God said, “It is not good for the man to be alone. I will make a helper suitable for him.”

titus 1:15

To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted.

titus 3:3

At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another.

psalm 116:11

in my alarm I said, “Everyone is a liar.”

james 2:4

have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

psalm 31:11-16

Because of all my enemies, I am the utter contempt of my neighbors and an object of dread to my closest friends— those who see me on the street flee from me.

12 I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.

13 For I hear many whispering, “Terror on every side!” They conspire against me and plot to take my life.

14 But I trust in you, Lord; I say, “You are my God.”

15 My times are in your hands; deliver me from the hands of my enemies, from those who pursue me.

16 Let your face shine on your servant; save me in your unfailing love.

philippians 2:21

For everyone looks out for their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ.

galatians 6:3

If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves.

i corinthians 8:1-2

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know.

my notes:

i john 3:16

This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers and sisters.

romans 12:3

For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you.

i corinthians 3:7

So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

i corinthians 10:31

So whether you eat or drink or whatever you do, do it all for the glory of God.

i corinthians 10:33

even as I try to please everyone in every way. For I am not seeking my own good but the good of many, so that they may be saved.

ii corinthians 12:19

Have you been thinking all along that we have been defending ourselves to you? We have been speaking in the sight of God as those in Christ; and everything we do, dear friends, is for your strengthening.

my notes:

section 2

In our human attempt to control our relationships we bribe proverbs 17:8 , flatter romans 16:17-18 , boast psalm 73:8-10 , slander psalm 41:6, steal affection galatians 4:17 , cushion God’s discipline jeremiah 5:3 jeremiah 5:12 isaiah 30:10 james 1:4 , work manipulations genesis 23:10-16 proverbs 16:29-30 , put on masks i thessalonians 2:5 ii corinthians 11:15 , intimidate nehemiah 6:13, dishearten ezekiel 13:22 , stubbornly wear out judges 16:16 , guilt-trip nehemiah 6:17-19 , pity-farm matthew 6:16-18 , deceive psalm 28:3 , misuse authority nehemiah 5:15 , scheme psalm 37:12 , accuse nehemiah 6:8 , etc.; trying to control others for our own selfish ends while still deluding ourselves into thinking we are benefactors luke 22:25-27 .

supporting scriptures

proverbs 17:8

A bribe is seen as a charm by the one who gives it; they think success will come at every turn.

romans 16:17-18

I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them. 18 For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of naive people.

psalm 73:8-10

They scoff, and speak with malice; with arrogance they threaten oppression.

9 Their mouths lay claim to heaven, and their tongues take possession of the earth.

10 Therefore their people turn to them and drink up waters in abundance.

psalm 41:6

When one of them comes to see me, he speaks falsely, while his heart gathers slander; then he goes out and spreads it around.

galatians 4:17

Those people are zealous to win you over, but for no good. What they want is to alienate you from us, so that you may have zeal for them.

jeremiah 5:3

Lord, do not your eyes look for truth? You struck them, but they felt no pain; you crushed them, but they refused correction. They made their faces harder than stone and refused to repent.

jeremiah 5:12

They have lied about the Lord; they said, “He will do nothing! No harm will come to us; we will never see sword or famine.

isaiah 30:10

They say to the seers, “See no more visions!” and to the prophets, “Give us no more visions of what is right! Tell us pleasant things, prophesy illusions.

james 1:4

Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

my notes:

genesis 23:10-16

Ephron the Hittite was sitting among his people and he replied to Abraham in the hearing of all the Hittites who had come to the gate of his city. 11 “No, my lord,” he said. “Listen to me; I give you the field, and I give you the cave that is in it. I give it to you in the presence of my people. Bury your dead.”

12 Again Abraham bowed down before the people of the land 13 and he said to Ephron in their hearing, “Listen to me, if you will. I will pay the price of the field. Accept it from me so I can bury my dead there.”

14 Ephron answered Abraham, 15 “Listen to me, my lord; the land is worth four hundred shekels of silver, but what is that between you and me? Bury your dead.”

16 Abraham agreed to Ephron’s terms and weighed out for him the price he had named in the hearing of the Hittites: four hundred shekels of silver, according to the weight current among the merchants.

proverbs 16:29-30

A violent person entices their neighbor and leads them down a path that is not good.

30 Whoever winks with their eye is plotting perversity; whoever purses their lips is bent on evil.

i thessalonians 2:5

You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness.

ii corinthians 11:15

It is not surprising, then, if his servants also masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

nehemiah 6:13

He had been hired to intimidate me so that I would commit a sin by doing this, and then they would give me a bad name to discredit me.

ezekiel 13:22

Because you disheartened the righteous with your lies, when I had brought them no grief, and because you encouraged the wicked not to turn from their evil ways and so save their lives,

judges 16:16

With such nagging she prodded him day after day until he was sick to death of it.

nehemiah 6:17-19

Also, in those days the nobles of Judah were sending many letters to Tobiah, and replies from Tobiah kept coming to them. 18 For many in Judah were under oath to him, since he was son-in-law to Shekaniah son of Arah, and his son Jehohanan had married the daughter of Meshullam son of Berekiah. 19 Moreover, they kept reporting to me his good deeds and then telling him what I said. And Tobiah sent letters to intimidate me.

matthew 6:16-18

“When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18 so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

psalm 28:3

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

my notes:

nehemiah 5:15

But the earlier governors—those preceding me—placed a heavy burden on the people and took forty shekels of silver from them in addition to food and wine. Their assistants also lorded it over the people. But out of reverence for God I did not act like that.

psalm 37:12

The wicked plot against the righteous and gnash their teeth at them;

nehemiah 6:8

I sent him this reply: “Nothing like what you are saying is happening; you are just making it up out of your head.”

luke 22:25-27

Jesus said to them, “The kings of the Gentiles lord it over them; and those who exercise authority over them call themselves Benefactors. 26 But you are not to be like that. Instead, the greatest among you should be like the youngest, and the one who rules like the one who serves. 27 For who is greater, the one who is at the table or the one who serves? Is it not the one who is at the table? But I am among you as one who serves.

my notes:

section 3

As children of God we are to think, speak and act in regards to fellowship with one another on a completely different principle than our own power and control colossians 2:8 john 15:12 i john 1:7 ii john 1:1-3 . The Truth and Love of the Lord is found by us in submission not dominance i peter 5:6 ephesians 5:21 matthew 18:4 . We are to be people who think, speak and live the Truth of ourselves ii corinthians 6:11-13 i corinthians 15:10 , circumstances lamentations 3:28 lamentations 3:38, others isaiah 40:6-8 i corinthians 4:5 romans 3:4 romans 3:23 and God i timothy 6:15-16 revelation 4:8 in a transparent ii corinthians 4:2 and sincere life, relying on God’s grace for the results ii corinthians 1:12 .

supporting scriptures

colossians 2:8

See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.

john 15:12

My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you.

i john 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

my notes:

ii john 1:1-3

The elder,

To the lady chosen by God and to her children, whom I love in the truth—and not I only, but also all who know the truth— 2 because of the truth, which lives in us and will be with us forever:

3 Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, will be with us in truth and love.

i peter 5:6

Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.

ephesians 5:21

Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.

matthew 18:4

Therefore, whoever takes the lowly position of this child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.

ii corinthians 6:11-13

We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians, and opened wide our hearts to you. 12 We are not withholding our affection from you, but you are withholding yours from us. 13 As a fair exchange—I speak as to my children—open wide your hearts also.

i corinthians 15:10

But by the grace of God I am what I am, and his grace to me was not without effect. No, I worked harder than all of them—yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.

lamentations 3:28

Let him sit alone in silence, for the Lord has laid it on him.

lamentations 3:38

Is it not from the mouth of the Most High that both calamities and good things come?

isaiah 40:6-8

A voice says, “Cry out.” And I said, “What shall I cry?” “All people are like grass, and all their faithfulness is like the flowers of the field.

7 The grass withers and the flowers fall, because the breath of the Lord blows on them. Surely the people are grass.

8 The grass withers and the flowers fall, but the word of our God endures forever.”

i corinthians 4:5

Therefore judge nothing before the appointed time; wait until the Lord comes. He will bring to light what is hidden in darkness and will expose the motives of the heart. At that time each will receive their praise from God.

romans 3:4

Not at all! Let God be true, and every human being a liar. As it is written:

“So that you may be proved right when you speak and prevail when you judge.”

romans 3:23

for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God...

my notes:

i timothy 6:15-16

which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

revelation 4:8

Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying:

“‘Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,’ who was, and is, and is to come.”

ii corinthians 4:2

Rather, we have renounced secret and shameful ways; we do not use deception, nor do we distort the word of God. On the contrary, by setting forth the truth plainly we commend ourselves to everyone’s conscience in the sight of God.

ii corinthians 1:12

Now this is our boast: Our conscience testifies that we have conducted ourselves in the world, and especially in our relations with you, with integrity and godly sincerity. We have done so, relying not on worldly wisdom but on God’s grace.

my notes:

section 4

Those who love themselves will continue to try to control others through their various means, but the saddest thing is that the church is not immune to this sin. In fact the tolerant, often self-righteous niceness of the church environment is a fertile ground i corinthians 5:1-2 jude 4 for exerting ourselves over others to gain what we can acts 20:29-30 ii peter 2:1-3 jude 12 ii timothy 3:2-6 ; foolishly we live as if our “faith” is only a means to an end and not the end itself i timothy 6:3-6 . This is why we must guard our hearts and the fellowship of the Truth titus 1:10-11 i corinthians 5:12-13 galatians 2:5 so that we can actually have genuine, loving relationships iii john 1:1 i john 1:7 .

supporting scriptures

i corinthians 5:1-2

It is actually reported that there is sexual immorality among you, and of a kind that even pagans do not tolerate: A man is sleeping with his father’s wife. 2 And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?

jude 4

For certain individuals whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are ungodly people, who pervert the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.

acts 20:29-30

I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. 30 Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them.

ii peter 2:1-3

But there were also false prophets among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you. They will secretly introduce destructive heresies, even denying the sovereign Lord who bought them—bringing swift destruction on themselves. 2 Many will follow their depraved conduct and will bring the way of truth into disrepute. 3 In their greed these teachers will exploit you with fabricated stories. Their condemnation has long been hanging over them, and their destruction has not been sleeping.

jude 12

These people are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm—shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted—twice dead.

ii timothy 3:2-6

People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of the good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God— 5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.

6 They are the kind who worm their way into homes and gain control over gullible women, who are loaded down with sins and are swayed by all kinds of evil desires,

i timothy 6:3-6

If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

titus 1:10-11

For there are many rebellious people, full of meaningless talk and deception, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are disrupting whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

i corinthians 5:12-13

What business is it of mine to judge those outside the church? Are you not to judge those inside? 13 God will judge those outside. “Expel the wicked person from among you.”

galatians 2:5

We did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might be preserved for you.

iii john 1:1

The elder, To my dear friend Gaius, whom I love in the truth.

i john 1:7

But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.

my notes:

section 5

To try to exert control of others is to foolishly put ourselves in the place of God isaiah 14:13-17 . There is only One Master Who lends others authority and power daniel 4:17 to benefit those under that authority ii corinthians 10:8 romans 13:4 ; for all is His revelation 5:13 daniel 4:34-35 . So there is only One to Whom others answer romans 14:4 i corinthians 4:3-4 ; and so we do well if we remember that God is the only One Who controls our lives and even death deuteronomy 32:29 genesis 50:19 ii kings 5:7 ; we are merely His servants i peter 2:9 titus 3:14 and servants to others ii corinthians 4:5 . So let us be humble in that we do not control or have independent power over others job 33:6-7 i kings 19:20 john 19:11. We should only serve to dissuade others from sin ezekiel 3:18 and persuade them towards Christ ii corinthians 5:11 never going beyond the authority of the Scriptures ii corinthians 4:6 or our position i corinthians 4:7 jude 1:6 for building up others ii corinthians 13:10 romans 15:1-3 .

supporting scriptures

isaiah 14:13-17

You said in your heart, “I will ascend to the heavens; I will raise my throne above the stars of God; I will sit enthroned on the mount of assembly, on the utmost heights of Mount Zaphon.

14 I will ascend above the tops of the clouds; I will make myself like the Most High.”

15 But you are brought down to the realm of the dead, to the depths of the pit.

16 Those who see you stare at you, they ponder your fate: “Is this the man who shook the earth and made kingdoms tremble,

17 the man who made the world a wilderness, who overthrew its cities and would not let his captives go home?”

daniel 4:17

“‘The decision is announced by messengers, the holy ones declare the verdict, so that the living may know that the Most High is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and gives them to anyone he wishes and sets over them the lowliest of people.’

ii corinthians 10:8

So even if I boast somewhat freely about the authority the Lord gave us for building you up rather than tearing you down, I will not be ashamed of it.

romans 13:4

For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.

revelation 5:13

Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

“To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!”

my notes:

daniel 4:34-35

At the end of that time, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven, and my sanity was restored. Then I praised the Most High; I honored and glorified him who lives forever.

His dominion is an eternal dominion; his kingdom endures from generation to generation.

35 All the peoples of the earth are regarded as nothing. He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the peoples of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

romans 14:4

Who are you to judge someone else’s servant? To their own master, servants stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

i corinthians 4:3-4

I care very little if I am judged by you or by any human court; indeed, I do not even judge myself. 4 My conscience is clear, but that does not make me innocent. It is the Lord who judges me.

deuteronomy 32:29

If only they were wise and would understand this and discern what their end will be!

genesis 50:19

But Joseph said to them, “Don’t be afraid. Am I in the place of God?

ii kings 5:7

As soon as the king of Israel read the letter, he tore his robes and said, “Am I God? Can I kill and bring back to life? Why does this fellow send someone to me to be cured of his leprosy? See how he is trying to pick a quarrel with me!”

i peter 2:9

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light.

titus 3:14

Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order to provide for urgent needs and not live unproductive lives.

ii corinthians 4:5

For what we preach is not ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus’ sake.

job 33:6-7

I am the same as you in God’s sight; I too am a piece of clay.

7 No fear of me should alarm you, nor should my hand be heavy on you.

i kings 19:20

Elisha then left his oxen and ran after Elijah. “Let me kiss my father and mother goodbye,” he said, “and then I will come with you.”

“Go back,” Elijah replied. “What have I done to you?”

john 19:11

Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.”

ezekiel 3:18

When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways in order to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.

ii corinthians 5:11

Since, then, we know what it is to fear the Lord, we try to persuade others. What we are is plain to God, and I hope it is also plain to your conscience.

ii corinthians 4:6

For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God’s glory displayed in the face of Christ.

i corinthians 4:7

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not?

jude 1:6

And the angels who did not keep their positions of authority but abandoned their proper dwelling—these he has kept in darkness, bound with everlasting chains for judgment on the great Day.

ii corinthians 13:10

This is why I write these things when I am absent, that when I come I may not have to be harsh in my use of authority—the authority the Lord gave me for building you up, not for tearing you down.

romans 15:1-3

We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: “The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me.”

my notes:

section 6

Therefore, we should not try to control others, but only seek to influence them for their sake and God’s glory within our Biblical parameters acts 20:18-21 acts 26-27 . If we have submitted to God by doing our Biblical responsibility ecclesiastes 11:9 acts 20:35
ii corinthians 6:3-4 ephesians 5:11-17 we must let people decide for themselves how they will respond to God ezekiel 3:27 joshua 24:15 , be that: fellow countrymen acts 18:6 , pagans jeremiah 23:27-28, apostates i timothy 1:19-20 ii timothy 3:8 , our children proverbs 19:18 luke 15:12 , and even spouses i corinthians 7:15 . I myself must decide to follow Christ and trust the Lord to work it out in others john 21:21-22 .

supporting scriptures

acts 20:18-21

When they arrived, he said to them: “You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. 19 I served the Lord with great humility and with tears and in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents. 20 You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you but have taught you publicly and from house to house. 21 I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.

acts chapters 26-27

(Text is too long to include here)

ecclesiastes 11:9

You who are young, be happy while you are young, and let your heart give you joy in the days of your youth. Follow the ways of your heart and whatever your eyes see, but know that for all these things God will bring you into judgment.

acts 20:35

In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ ”

ii corinthians 6:3-4

We put no stumbling block in anyone’s path, so that our ministry will not be discredited. 4 Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses;

ephesians 5:11-17

Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them. 12 It is shameful even to mention what the disobedient do in secret. 13 But everything exposed by the light becomes visible—and everything that is illuminated becomes a light. 14 This is why it is said:

“Wake up, sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.”

15 Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, 16 making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.

17 Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the Lord’s will is.

ezekiel 3:27

But when I speak to you, I will open your mouth and you shall say to them, ‘This is what the Sovereign Lord says.’ Whoever will listen let them listen, and whoever will refuse let them refuse; for they are a rebellious people.

joshua 24:15

But if serving the Lord seems undesirable to you, then choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you are living. But as for me and my household, we will serve the Lord.”

acts 18:6

But when they opposed Paul and became abusive, he shook out his clothes in protest and said to them, “Your blood be on your own heads! I am innocent of it. From now on I will go to the Gentiles.”

jeremiah 23:27-28

They think the dreams they tell one another will make my people forget my name, just as their ancestors forgot my name through Baal worship.

28 Let the prophet who has a dream recount the dream, but let the one who has my word speak it faithfully. For what has straw to do with grain?” declares the Lord.

i timothy 1:19-20

holding on to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith. 20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

my notes:

ii timothy 3:8

Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so also these teachers oppose the truth. They are men of depraved minds, who, as far as the faith is concerned, are rejected.

proverbs 19:18

Discipline your children, for in that there is hope; do not be a willing party to their death.

luke 15:12

The younger one said to his father, ‘Father, give me my share of the estate.’ So he divided his property between them.

i corinthians 7:15

But if the unbeliever leaves, let it be so. The brother or the sister is not bound in such circumstances; God has called us to live in peace.

john 21:21-22

When Peter saw him, he asked, “Lord, what about him?”

22 Jesus answered, “If I want him to remain alive until I return, what is that to you? You must follow me.”

my notes:

section 7

Even when it comes to fellow believers and differing opinions we must be careful not to become frustrated with differing thoughts philippians 3:15 , variant convictions romans 14:13 , conflicting opinions philippians 2:3 romans 12:10 and different priorities i corinthians 16:12 ; lest we try to control others even through ministry with our puffed up view of ourselves i corinthians 8:1-3 and low view of God’s shepherding habakkuk 2:4 i corinthians 12:11 i peter 5:3-4 .

supporting scriptures

philippians 3:15

All of us, then, who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

romans 14:13

Therefore let us stop passing judgment on one another. Instead, make up your mind not to put any stumbling block or obstacle in the way of a brother or sister.

philippians 2:3

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves,

romans 12:10

Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves.

i corinthians 16:12

Now about our brother Apollos: I strongly urged him to go to you with the brothers. He was quite unwilling to go now, but he will go when he has the opportunity.

i corinthians 8:1-3

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up while love builds up. 2 Those who think they know something do not yet know as they ought to know. 3 But whoever loves God is known by God.

habakkuk 2:4

“See, the enemy is puffed up; his desires are not upright— but the righteous person will live by his faithfulness—

i corinthians 12:11

All these are the work of one and the same Spirit, and he distributes them to each one, just as he determines.

i peter 5:3-4

not lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will never fade away.

my notes:

section 8

So instead of controlling others let us commit ourselves to serving each other with self-abandonment mark 10:42-45 luke 9:23-24 and give even our most precious loved ones to God i samuel 1:27-28 and the work of His Word knowing that it is the Lord Who is over us all and He works and saves through the Word of His grace acts 20:32 i corinthians 1:21 .

supporting scriptures

mark 10:42-45

Jesus called them together and said, “You know that those who are regarded as rulers of the Gentiles lord it over them, and their high officials exercise authority over them. 43 Not so with you. Instead, whoever wants to become great among you must be your servant, 44 and whoever wants to be first must be slave of all. 45 For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

luke 9:23-24

Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it.

my notes:

i samuel 1:27-28

I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of him. 28 So now I give him to the Lord. For his whole life he will be given over to the Lord.” And he worshiped the Lord there.

acts 20:32

“Now I commit you to God and to the word of his grace, which can build you up and give you an inheritance among all those who are sanctified.

i corinthians 1:21

For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe.

don’t forget parts 1, 2, 4 and 5 of this series, available separately