Three Basics for Handling Relationships

Relationships are integral to the success of any business! After all, leadership is about people in relationships. The value of people skills in the workplace can hardly be overstated.

Studies show that 85 percent of the reason people get a job, keep that job, and move ahead in that job has to do with people skills and people knowledge. The other 15% rely on their technical skill and knowledge, according to Stanford Research Institute, Harvard University and the Carnegie Foundation. ¹

Relationships form the basis and for the purpose and entire essence of the Bible. The Bible is the story of relationships since the beginning of creation.

Therefore, it only makes sense to turn to its pages to learn the basics of relationships. Let’s consider the purpose, priority and posture of relationships in our daily lives and work settings.

1. The Purpose of Relationships

God created us in His image and for a relationship with Him. The example of how relationships are to work is evidenced in the community formed by the Father, Son & Holy Spirit in the Trinity.

So God created mankind in his own image,

in the image of God he created them;

male and female he created them.

Genesis 1:27

May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God,

and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

2 Corinthians 13:14

The Trinity teaches us that people need other people. We were made to live in community and to have meaningful love relationships with one another. Each person reflects a different aspect of who God is so that when we’re together, we have a greater appreciation of who God is. The purpose of relationships is to be in community with one another and God.

What do you appreciate about God as evidenced

by those within your “community?”

2. The Priority in Relationships

God desires to restore our relationship with Him and see us become more like Him. Jesus stated our priority, knowing that we will become more like our creator as we do this.

Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul

and with all your strength and with all your mind

and, love your neighbor as yourself.

Luke 10:27

Considering this priority, numerous examples and reminders of how to handle our interpersonal relationships are woven throughout the scriptures.

Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to

speak and slow to become angry.

James 1:19

Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths,

but only what is helpful for building others up according

to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Ephesians 4:29

Fostering good interpersonal relationships must focus on loving God and loving our neighbour to fulfill God’s command.

What other scriptures do you recall that help

to guide our interpersonal relationships?

3. The Posture in Relationships

Paul teaches us the posture that our interpersonal relationships should take, as exemplified through the life of Christ.

Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility

value others above yourselves, not looking to your own

interests but each of you to the interests of the others.

Philippians 2:3-4

Interpersonal relationships flourish when we humbly look out for the best interests of each other rather than our self-interests. Self-centeredness is almost always at the root of interpersonal conflict.

Today, look for ways in which you can intentionally

put the needs and interests ahead of yours.

The purpose of relationships is to experience community, as the Father does within the Godhead. The priority of a relationship is for us to love God and love one another. Our posture in a relationship is for each of us to be other centered rather than self-centered.

1 Zig Ziglar, Top Performance (New York: Berkeley Books, 1986), p. 11.