24 Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, 25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. (Proverbs 22: 24-25)
SERMON TITLE: TOXIC PEOPLE
11 The plans of the LORD stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations. (Psalm 33:11)
11 For I know the plans I have for you,” says the LORD. “They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope. (Jeremiah 29:11)
3 I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.” (Genesis 12:3)
2 Beloved, I pray that all may go well with you and that you may be in good health, as it goes well with your soul. (3 John 1:2)
17 Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. 19 I am teaching you today—yes, you—so you will trust in the LORD. 20 I have written thirty sayings for you, filled with advice and knowledge. (Proverbs 22:17-20)
I. Avoid Angry People
“Don’t befriend angry people”. (Proverbs 22:24a)
“Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath! Fret not yourself; it tends only to evil.” (Psalm 37:8)
“People with understanding control their anger; a hot temper shows great foolishness.” (Proverbs 14:29)
“A man of wrath stirs up strife, and one given to anger causes much transgression.” (Proverbs 29:22)
*II. Avoid Hot Tempers *
“don’t associate with hot-tempered people”. (Proverbs 22: 24b)
“A hot-tempered man stirs up strife, but he who is slow to anger quiets contention.” (Proverbs 15:18)
“A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” (Proverbs 15:1)
“A troublemaker and a villain, who goes about with a corrupt mouth, who winks maliciously with his eye, signals with his feet and motions with his fingers, who plots evil with deceit in his heart — he always stirs up conflict. Therefore disaster will overtake him in an instant; he will suddenly be destroyed — without remedy” (Proverbs 6:12-15).
III. Avoid Behavior Modification
“25 or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. (Proverbs 22:25)
2 Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect. (Romans 12:2)
22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; 23 against such things there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23) ESV