Gary Thomas's writing and speaking focuses on bringing people closer to Christ and closer to others.

He's the author of over 20 books that together have sold over 2 million copies,

including when to walk away, finding freedom from toxic people.

And that's what we're going to be discussing today. Gary, great to see you.

Great to be back, Kurt.

Yeah. You know, I've told you this 100 times before that your book, Sacred Marriage is my wife's favorite marriage book. And I can think of a lot of really good marriage books, The Love Dare, which is part of a movie I was a part of. I was maybe hoping that would be her favorite book, you know, and love languages and so many. But sacred marriage has something so beautiful, special, and it is so representative of the gospel

that I know that's why she loves it so much.

And so I'm excited to talk to you about this new book.

Thank you, Kirk.

Thank you.

So we're talking about toxic relationships.

And I don't know about you. Maybe it's because of your book, but it seems like this coined phrase, toxic people, you're toxic. This person is toxic.

I know. And sometimes be overused. And really, we're just talking about difficult people. And it's a way for them to just, you know, convict them by just labeling them as toxic.

So what is a truly toxic person?

Every toxic person is difficult, but not every difficult person is toxic.

And I'm glad you're bringing that up to start because it's so important to be precise here.

Toxicity, as we're working on it here,

for our Christian life and our Christian ministry, really focuses on people who are taking

little pieces out of you. You're less. And if you keep interacting with them, there's less of you

to give to others. They take away your peace, your joy, your self-confidence, they take away your focus

so that you can't give

yourself to the people that God has called you to give yourself to and to do the things

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