Not Sure what to do !

[Guest Thomas I believe]

Hello Everyone. My Life with the Lord is going well but i have had problems over the years with some people that i know being unaccepting of the Fact that I am a Christian. Well I have a friend of many years, one i am still praying for that he may Meet Jesus. The last couple months he has been quite insulting to me about my beleif In God. At times down right rude and It hurts deeply when he does this. I continue to Pray for him and try to ignore his insults. Lately though it has gotten worse. He will call me on the phone while Him and his girlfriend are having sex and he thinks its funny. I politely tell him i have to go and I hang up. Why would a Friend of many years do this. I don't know if i can be his friend anymore with this attitude that he has. Anyone have any ideas??? I would deeply appreciate some guidance here. Thank-you In His Love Always !! Michael

[Jacqueline]

When I first became a Christian my family and I was in my mothers kitchen and I don't remember how we started talking about religion, but we did. The conversation became heated on their end and as I was walking out of the door I said this house needs Jesus. My little sister remarked that there was to much Jesus in here already that was the problem. I looked at her for a moment then as I left I asked God to forgive her because she didn't know what she was saying.

My family or friends don't understand my relationship with God and I don't expect them to. I just keep planting as many seeds as I can in thier hearts with the hope that God will water it and I can see the changes that He's doing. I don't know if you should or shouldn't be this persons friend, but I do know that God's placed you in his life for a reason. I'd pray about it and asks Father what is He's will. You as well as your friend is in my prayers.

God Bless You

Jacqueline

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings Thomas,

Please consider:

Romans 12:9-21 Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good. 10 Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; 11 Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; 12 Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer; 13 Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality. 14 Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not. 15 Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep. 16 Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits. 17 Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men. 18 If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men. 19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord. 20 Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head. 21 Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[Az_]

Well that is rather obnoxious behaviour. I am left with the notion that either he is a truly idiotic jerk (in that case there is little hope) or he is reacting to something that has changed in his relationship with you.

When someone comes under the sway of a particular belief set they significantly alter their interaction with their current circle of friends. They will often begin pressing their new found beliefs on others. These friends will see this new interaction as a form of losing contact with the person they once knew. Thus they will attempt to interject ideas or activities before them in an attempt to draw them back into the fold. Some are not known for their tact in this arena.

Each day we live we change. The friends that stick with us the longest are those that manage to change in the same directions as we do. If however you change in a way that is no longer compatible with your old friends you are faced with a choice. You either have to moderate the path you are on to encompass your old friends as well or you have to realise that you are on a path that is taking you away from them.

[AnotherTraveler]

Many that have not yet come to the Lord are so connected to the flesh, the world, and the devil that they often give voice to the hatred that the demons have for you.

Pray for them, be as loving and tolorant as you can, and when you have had enough of them, avoid them. The seperation from the world works well for you and for them. If they come to you asking why you are distant, tell them why, but if they are just mocking, you have nothing to gain by allowing them to just mock you.

Some of your old friends will come to Christ, some will not and you will have to go on without them, but keep praying, some people take a long time to come to the Lord.

[Orr v'emet]

First of all Welcome to worthy!

I had a similar situation that I had to deal with in the last few months. I had some friends that I was hanging around with that new I was a christian. When I first met these girls I was a complacent christian and seldom talked about my faith. Jesus began to change my life however and I had a major struggle on my hands when it came to these friends. On one hand, I didn't want to cut myself off from them because I felt I would be the only christian influence they would have. On the otherhand, I hated the things they said and did when I was around. I prayed over this issue for quite some time feeling very torn. At one point I finally felt like God wanted me to distance myself from them. I gave them a passion of the Christ witnessing card. I explained to them that I cared about them and their eternal security and told them that I would always be around if they needed me. I also proceeded to say that I needed to take a break and I began to distance myself. Now, several months later, we aren't as close as we used to be however when something is wrong or they have questions, they come to me. They know where my heart is. I'm not saying this will work for you. It did in my situation but I also believe it to be what God wanted me to do. My thought? Seek God. Ask Him what he wants you to do and then follow in obedience.

[refugepsa91]

Maybe he is scared. Fear of losing your friendship but also the fear of facing the possibilty hes going to have to answer for all he's done or is doing....kinda sounds like he wants you to agree with him so he can feel comfortable in his ways.

Keep your head up and take Dad Ernies advice....be kind be patient and don't turn your back on him...but like others said always be there if he needs you. You don't need to speak words to him to witness....somtimes people are reached by our actions alone. :il:

Love and Blessings,

Angel

P.S. WELCOME :hug:

[sail2awe]

Mat 13:28 He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?

Mat 13:29 But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.

Mat 13:30 Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

sounds pretty imature of your friend to me. there is a saying: don't fish with the anchor: meaning: plant a seed, but don't explain anything unless asked. if the seed doesn't take, it is no reflection upon you, as only God can make a seed grow.

the whole turn the other cheek thing is about taking strong truth to someone, and after they are insulted, well, we should know what kind of result that kind of fishing does; so when they strike back, we should turn the other cheek, knowing we have struck first. Christ was "gentle". this in no way implies that a christian is a weak person, quite the opposite: it is the christians that fight for freedoms, not any other group can say they have done this!

Tit 3:2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

2Sa 22:36 Thou hast also given me the shield of thy salvation: and thy gentleness hath made me great.

Isa 40:11 He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.

Edited September 30, 2004 by sail2awe

[darkest_red]

I have to say, if he behaves like that he isn't much of a friend.

A real friend would respect your beliefs even if they themselves didn't believe it.

Not all of my friends believe the same as me but they would never treat me like that because they have a respect for me and for what I believe.

It seems to me like it is time to re-consider your friendship with this guy, is he really the kind of person you want to be associating with?

[Guest ScriptureAndPrayers]

Well that is rather obnoxious behaviour. I am left with the notion that either he is a truly idiotic jerk (in that case there is little hope) or he is reacting to something that has changed in his relationship with you.

When someone comes under the sway of a particular belief set they significantly alter their interaction with their current circle of friends. They will often begin pressing their new found beliefs on others. These friends will see this new interaction as a form of losing contact with the person they once knew. Thus they will attempt to interject ideas or activities before them in an attempt to draw them back into the fold. Some are not known for their tact in this arena.

Each day we live we change. The friends that stick with us the longest are those that manage to change in the same directions as we do. If however you change in a way that is no longer compatible with your old friends you are faced with a choice. You either have to moderate the path you are on to encompass your old friends as well or you have to realise that you are on a path that is taking you away from them.

Az_,

I thought you had a good post for the most part, but I think there's always hope. We're all living proof of that!

It seems to me that if this friendship is worth preserving, at least for Thomas, then he's just going to have to go out on a limb and ask his friend what's going on. No use pretending everything is okay, because it isn't. It may end up, Thomas, that you get no answer to speak of, and that your friend gets very defensive and more abusive. On the other hand, if you guys do have a strong friendship, maybe this will be the opening he needs to deal with the problem, whatever it is. Either way, at least it will bring things into the light, where they belong. It may seem risky, particularly if you're a little unsure of yourself, but usually anything worth doing involves a certain amount of risk.

Also, don't assume that it is your duty to bring this man to Christ. One man plants, another waters, but it is God who makes it grow. Be obedient to God. For all you know, he may not come to Christ for years after you two have parted ways. The Spirit works in you and urges you in the right direction. Listen to His voice.

God bless you and your errant friend.