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6 Traits of Toxic People | Sermon Notes — Hello Pastor

Sermon Notes/Change Church/6 Traits of Toxic People

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6 Traits of Toxic People

Dr Dharius Daniels·Change Church

Sunday, April 7, 2024

Part of Red Flags

Summary

In this message, Dr. Dharius Daniels begins a series on biblical discernment, explaining how the quality of our life is largely determined by the decisions we make. He clarifies that discernment is not skepticism born from emotional scars, but the God-given ability to assess the true nature of people and opportunities. By contrasting Peter's human imperfection with Judas's destructive toxicity, Dr. Daniels highlights the first three traits of toxic individuals—greed, entitlement, and deceitfulness—so believers can protect their purpose and govern themselves accordingly.

Key Scriptures

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John 13:21↗Deuteronomy 30:19↗Matthew 7:15-16↗Psalm 55:12-14↗

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These are personal sermon notes shared to help you remember the message — not a replacement for Scripture, your church, or your pastors.

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Red Flags

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6 Traits of Toxic People Pt. 2

Dr Dharius Daniels · Change Church

Apr 14, 2024

Part 2 · Current

6 Traits of Toxic People

Dr Dharius Daniels · Change Church

Apr 7, 2024

John 12:4-6

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Themes

Biblical DiscernmentDecision MakingRelationshipsToxicity vs. ImperfectionStewarding SeasonsSpiritual Maturity

Pastor's Points

1.1. Greed: An insatiable and unrestrained appetite for more.
2.2. Entitlement: The belief that one is owed something simply through association with someone else who earned it.
3.3. Deceitfulness: Deliberately concealing or misrepresenting the truth to mislead, manipulate, or hide true motives.

Key Points

1.You are born looking like your parents, but you die looking like your decisions.
2.Biblical discernment is the God-given ability to assess the true nature of an individual or an opportunity and the wisdom to govern yourself accordingly.
3.True spiritual discernment is distinct from common sense, street smarts, or skepticism born from past emotional scars.
4.Assessment is not moral judgment; judgment renders a final verdict on someone's moral status, while assessment inspects fruit to know what kind of tree someone is.
5.The more spiritual options and personal capacity God gives you in a season, the greater your need for divine discernment.
6.Jesus knew Judas would betray Him because His spirit had access to data before His physical mind had seen physical evidence.
7.People can act as loyal protectors in one season and become betrayers in another when their underlying motives change.
8.Jesus was braced for Judas's betrayal, which prevented bitterness from taking root in His heart and allowed Him to fulfill His mission on the cross.
9.There is a vital distinction between imperfection (having a bad day) and toxicity (having a bad, inherently destructive heart).
10.The first three traits of toxic people outlined in this teaching are greed, entitlement, and deceitfulness.

Sermon Moments

“You are born looking like your parents, but you die looking like your decisions.”

“Cynicism and skepticism come from your scars; biblical discernment comes from the Spirit.”

“There is a difference between judgment and assessment: judgment renders a moral verdict, but assessment inspects the fruit.”

“The more options you have, the more discernment you need.”

“Judas doesn't look like Judas. We keep getting burned because we assume a protector cannot become a betrayer.”

“Jesus was braced for the blow. When you aren't braced, betrayal causes bitterness that limits how God can use you.”

“Peter represents human imperfection; Judas represents toxicity. Do not throw away a Peter and keep a Judas.”

“Walking like Jesus sometimes means knowing who to let walk away.”

This Week

Ask God daily for spiritual discernment rather than relying on common sense, suspicion, or past emotional scars.
Practice assessment over judgment by evaluating the fruit of key relationships and opportunities in your life.
Pay close attention to how people respond when you tell them 'no' as a test for hidden greed or boundary issues.
Distinguish between friends who are merely imperfect and those whose patterns of behavior continuously undermine your spiritual, physical, or emotional health.
Prepare your heart for offense and betrayal so that unexpected blows do not turn into root bitterness.
Establish healthy spiritual boundaries with individuals who exhibit persistent entitlement and deceitfulness.
Commit to governing yourself accordingly whenever the Holy Spirit exposes the true nature of a person or opportunity.

Remember This

Biblical discernment is the God-given ability to assess the true nature of people and opportunities, empowering you to distinguish human imperfection from toxicity and govern yourself accordingly.

A Challenge for You

Lord, open my eyes that I can see who is for me and what is for me, and grant me the wisdom to govern myself accordingly.

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