Fruitful Living
Cultivating, multivating, maintaining Godly Relationship (Part 2)
Friendships
Friendship is one of the most common forms of relationships, yet it is often undervalued in its potential for spiritual growth and support. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” A godly friendship is one that transcends convenience or superficial interests. It is a bond rooted in mutual respect, encouragement, and accountability.
Jesus modelled godly friendship with His disciples, particularly with Peter, James, and John, who formed His inner circle. He shared His heart with them, corrected them when necessary, and entrusted them with His mission.
A godly friendship is one where both individuals push each other closer to God. There is no room for gossip, jealousy, or competition, but rather a mutual commitment to growth, honesty, and support.
Family Relationships
God places us in families, not by accident, but with purpose. The family is one of the primary places where we are called to live out the principles of godly relationships.
The Bible instructs us in Ephesians 6:1-4 on the importance of honouring our parents and raising our children in the fear of the Lord. In Colossians 3:19, husbands and wives are called to love and respect one another, mirroring the relationship between Christ and His church.
Maintaining godly family relationships requires intentional effort. It’s easy to take our family members for granted, but God calls us to love them deeply, forgive often, and serve each other in humility. The challenges within family life—differences in personality, conflicts, or even misunderstandings—become opportunities to demonstrate patience, forgiveness, and grace.
Professional Relationships
One of the most overlooked areas where godly relationships can be cultivated is in our professional lives.
Too often, we compartmentalise our faith, failing to realize that our interactions in the workplace are opportunities to show Christ to others. Colossians 3:23-24 instructs us, “Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters.”
Whether we are employers or employees, we are called to treat those we work with fairly, with integrity and respect.
This means valuing others not just for what they can contribute to the company, but for who they are as people made in the image of God.
In our professional relationships, we are ambassadors for Christ, and how we conduct ourselves speaks volumes about the faith we profess. These relationships, if cultivated with the right motives, can lead to opportunities for mentorship, witnessing, and personal growth.
Mentorship
Mentorship is another critical aspect of godly relationships. Throughout Scripture, we see examples of mentoring relationships: Moses and Joshua, Elijah and Elisha, Paul and Timothy, and most significantly, Jesus and His disciples.
Godly mentorship goes beyond simply giving advice or sharing knowledge; it is about investing in the spiritual and personal development of another person.
A mentor is called to guide, correct, and encourage their mentee, helping them navigate the challenges of life and faith. Mentorship is a two-way relationship, where both mentor and mentee grow together in Christ.
Paul’s words to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:2 is instructive: “And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.”
In other words, godly mentorship is not just about the individual relationship, but about equipping others to carry on the work of the Kingdom.
To be continued…
- By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee, the author
Satan tempts Jesus with the offer of rulership over all the kingdoms of the world, a proposal that Jesus rejects. This could be viewed as an appeal for material wealth, possessions and power.
Jesus’ kingdom in this age is not a worldly kingdom. Throughout His ministry, Jesus would refuse to seek a kingdom for Himself by the worldly methods of compromise, earthly power, political maneuvering, external violence or personal popularity.
Jesus’ kingdom is a spiritual one, established in the hearts of His people, who have also refused to follow the ungodly ways of the world. As a heavenly kingdom,
- It is gained through suffering, self – denial, humility and meekness – the opposite of how worldly people pursue power;
- It requires surrendering ourselves as living and holy sacrifices completely devoted and obedient to God and His purposes; Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
- It involves a battle against Satan, sin, temptation and evil using spiritual weapons. Finally, be strong in the Lord and in his mighty power. Put on the full armor of God, so that you can take your stand against the devil’s schemes. For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Therefore, put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace. In addition to all this, take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming arrows of the evil one. Take the helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people. – Ephesians 6:10-20.
- It means resisting conformity to the beliefs, behaviours and lifestyles that are common in the world. Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them. For everything in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but whoever does the will of God lives forever. – 1 John 2:15-17
Satan’s appeal to worship Him was an attempt to get Jesus to take a quick route to a world domination – to avoid the humility and sufferings that would lead to Jesus’ death on the cross. This is to say, the devil was trying to get Jesus to lay aside His entire purpose for coming to earth. Christ’s willingness to face all the difficulties that lay ahead is an example to all believers. He taught us that there are no shortcuts to fulfilling God’s perfect purposes for our lives, no matter how tempting the options may seem.
Stay Blessed!
By Rev. Dr Joyce Aryee
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Preparing for Ramadan through the month of Sha‘ban
THE month of Sha‘ban, which precedes Ramadan, serves as a spiritual training ground. The Prophet (s.a.w.) devoted significant attention to this month, fasting frequently and encouraging heightened acts of worship. ‘Aishah (r.a.) narrated:
“I did not see the Messenger of Allah complete fasting in any month except Ramadan, and I did not see him fast more in any month than in Sha‘ban.” (Ṣaḥīḥ al-Bukhārī; Ṣaḥīḥ Muslim)
During Sha‘ban, Muslims are encouraged to:
• Observe optional fasts,
• Increase Qur’anic recitation,
• Engage in charitable deeds (ṣadaqah),
• Strengthen community bonds and service.
These acts gradually condition both the body and soul for the rigours and blessings of Ramadan.
Scholarly guidance and community sensitisation
Across Muslim communities, scholars and religious leaders organise lectures, workshops, sermons, and media engagements to educate the Ummah about Ramadan. These initiatives address:
• The jurisprudence (fiqh) of fasting,
• The obligation to make up missed fasts from previous years,
• The ethical conduct expected during Ramadan,
• The spiritual, social, and health benefits of fasting.
Modern studies have also affirmed that fasting, when properly observed, contributes to improved self-discipline, metabolic balance, and emotional regulation—findings that align with Islamic teachings on moderation and self-control.
The role of parents and families in Ramadan preparation
Preparation begins at home. Parents play a vital role in nurturing a Ramadan-conscious environment by:
• Encouraging children and young adults to try voluntary fasts,
• Training family members to wake up for Tahajjud (night prayers),
• Establishing regular family supplications and Qur’an reading sessions.
Such practices help instill lifelong spiritual habits and strengthen family unity through shared worship.
By Imam Alhaji Saeed Abdulai
