c) Besides a lack of the three qualities at the end of our previous post, what else is a threat to true loyalty?
i) Prov.
16:28: Whispering. A whisperer
separates the best of friends. What
he is whispering is, of course, negative toward our “friend.” In other words, loyalty demands actions, but
it must be in our hearts as well.
ii) Prov.
17:9: Gossip or backbiting. He who covers a transgressing seeks love,
but he who repeats a matter separates friends.
d) If we are ever unfaithful in one of our
relationships, how easy is it to regain the prior level of trust? As you might imagine, it is very
difficult. Prov. 18:19: A brother offended is harder to win than a
strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle.
e)
What types of adversity make true loyalty a real
challenge?
i)
Prov. 14:20-21: Pride! I see a couple of things
here. Because of the “pride of life” we
might struggle maintaining loyalty to the poor because we so want the
acceptance of the rich. For a similar
reason, we might struggle to be loyal to someone when our “peers” despise the
person.
ii) Prov.
28:1: Danger! We already shared this
verse.
f) In
the following passages and illustrations, to whom should we be loyal?
i) Prov
25:13/2 Kings 5:1-5: our employer or boss or supervisor.
ii) Prov.
23:26-28/1 Sam. 25:14-34: our husband or wife.
iii)
Prov. 27:6/Gal. 2:11-14: an erring brother.
iv) Prov. 27:9/Isa.
37:1-7: a brother who is searching for the truth.
v) Prov.
17:17/1 Ki. 17:8-16: a brother who is needy.
vi) Prov. 20:28/1
Sam. 24:6: our governmental leaders.
vii)
1 John 3:16/Acts 9:26-27: a fellow Christian.
viii) Mt.
10:37-39/Acts 4:19: Christ! Our Lord!
g) What
are the rewards (personal blessings) for true loyalty?
i) Prov.
27:17: Spiritual growth, Christlikeness for both us and our friend. As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens
the countenance of his friend.
ii) Prov.
21:21: Life, righteousness and honor. He
who follows righteousness and mercy finds life, righteousness and honor.
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