First Peter, Part 3: Relationships — Having Healthy Relationships

Having Healthy Relationships – 1 Peter 3:8-12

Humility is essential to have true, biblical community. Humility eliminates rivalry, and mutual submission eliminates competition and fighting for position.

1 Peter 3:8-9, Finally, all of you be of one mind, having compassion for one another; love as brothers, be tenderhearted, be courteous; 9 not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing.

1. Humility leads to relationships lived in unity. 1 Peter 3:8 “Finally, all of you be of one mind…”

Being of “one mind” doesn’t mean we can’t differ on personal convictions and opinions. 

Being of “one mind” means we are united in our vision and our mission. 

Being of “one mind” demands we are thinking with the mind of Christ! Philippians 2:5, “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus.”

2. Humility leads to relationships lived compassionately. 1 Peter 3:8 “having compassion one for another…”

The Greek word translated as compassion is the same word in English for sympathy. Sympathy is the ability to feel the pain of others.

3. Humility leads to relationships lived with loyalty. 1 Peter 3:8 “love as brothers…”

Our loyalty comes from being born of the same Father. We are members of the same Family.

4. Humility leads to relationships lived graciously and tenderly. 1 Peter 3:8 “be tender hearted, be courteous…”

Tender-hearted, courteous people make others the priority.

5. Humility leads to relationships lived with forgiveness and mercy. 1 Peter 3:9, “not returning evil for evil or reviling for reviling, but on the contrary blessing, knowing that you were called to this, that you may inherit blessing.” 

We should give away to others the same mercy that God has given us.

6. Humility leads to relationships lived with honesty and integrity. 1 Peter 3:10-11, “For he who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it.”

1 Peter 3:12, “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil.”

Humility is the first step to a right relationship with God. Humility admits God is right and sin is wrong.