Dharius Daniels - 6 Traits of Toxic People - Part 2

We’re in a series where we’re exploring a biblical theme called discernment, and the series is titled «Red Flags.» Last week, I presented part one of a message called «Six Traits of Toxic People.» This is important because being able to identify these traits is crucial; you need to be aware of them. When you see these signs, it should raise a red flag—whether it’s in a business partnership, if someone is hiring you, if it’s someone you’re hiring, if it’s a friendship, or especially if it’s someone you’re about to marry.

Last week, we identified three traits, and this week we will conclude our discussion by examining a biblical character from the Old Testament named Saul. In 1st Samuel, chapter 18, verse 5, it says this: «Whatever mission Saul sent him on, David was so successful that Saul gave him a high rank in the army. This pleased all the troops and Saul’s officers as well.» When the men were returning home after David killed the Philistine, the women came out from all the towns of Israel to meet King Saul with singing and dancing, with joyful songs and with tambourines and lyres. As they danced, they sang, «Saul has slain his thousands and David his tens of thousands.» Saul was very angry; this refrain displeased him greatly. «They have credited David with tens of thousands,» he thought, «but me with only thousands. What more can he get but the kingdom?» From that time on, Saul kept a close eye on David.

Watch this—it doesn’t take long. The next day an evil spirit came forcefully upon Saul. He was prophesying in his house while David was playing the lyre as he usually did. Saul had a spear in his hand and hurled it, saying to himself, «I’ll pin David to the wall.» But David eluded him twice.

Today, we will explore and unpack part two of «Six Traits of Toxic People.» If you expect God to speak to you today, come on, clap your hands if you expect to hear from Him! Ladies and gentlemen, it’s 11:30, so let’s not waste any time with unnecessary preaching preliminaries. This season of your life is too critical, too crucial, and too consequential for us to not get right to the primary point of this preaching presentation. Here it is: The course and quality of our lives are not just determined by who we are or what we have; they are equally impacted by who we are with. Somebody just talk back to the preacher and say, «Who you with?»

In other words, your company affects your calling. People can affect your peace, and individuals can interfere with your assignment. I can say this with confidence because of an observation made by a sage named Solomon, which he recorded in a book of the Bible called Proverbs. In Proverbs 13:20, Solomon says, «Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.» Listen to what he says in the first part of the truism: «I become like who I walk with.» You may have heard it described this way: «My associations breed assimilation.»

But then he says something else—not only to walk with the wise and become wise, but also that a companion of fools suffers harm. In other words, I don’t have to be a fool to suffer harm; I just have to have fools as companions. For those who have difficulty embracing what Solomon says, Paul confirms Solomon’s wisdom in the New Testament when he states in 1 Corinthians 15:33, «Do not be misled; bad company corrupts good character.» There is no such thing as a neutral relationship; they are either making you better or they are making you worse. They are an asset or a liability; it is an addition or subtraction. I’m either moving forward or you’re pulling me backward.

I believe that many of us have an attitude similar to the sons of Issachar, who the Bible says understood the times and knew what Israel ought to do. I believe I’m talking to some people who understand the time you’re in. When some people look at the time, they might say, «It’s 12:06,» but for those of us who are discerning the season we’re in, when someone asks us what time it is, we’ll say, «It’s my time.»

I sense it’s my time. Some will look at the calendar and ask, «What season is it?» and they will say, «It’s spring.» But those of us who are like the sons of Issachar will discern and say, «It’s my season to spring.» I’m getting ready to advance in this season. I sense this is a pivotal, consequential, and catalytic season in my life. Just like I have to steward every other area of my life, I must steward this season with wise decisions.

If I’m serious about this sentiment, then I need to be serious about upgrading my discernment because I can’t make good decisions without good discernment. Why, Pastor? Because things are not always what they look like. I need more than common sense.