Being Friends With Unbelievers

[OneLight]

I see the divisive word here is "friends". One may think a friend is someone who you meet everyday and have friendly conversations with them and another may see it as being able to discuss your most secret parts of you life with. Until everyone is using the same term for this word, it will be almost impossible to agree.

OneLight

[grace222]

Sometimes Unbelievers can bring you down!

From my experience, I stay clear of all unbelieving people!

Most of them are family and have caused me so much pain and heartache and ridicule.

I don't feel I have anything in common with them when they are drinking heavilly, swearing

and telling filthy jokes.

We are to be a shining light - yes, but we don't need to hang around unbelievers.

If you lie with dogs, you are going to get fleas(I know that's not scriptural) but it's true.

I try to stay away at all costs.

[Vickilynn]

I see the divisive word here is "friends". One may think a friend is someone who you meet everyday and have friendly conversations with them and another may see it as being able to discuss your most secret parts of you life with. Until everyone is using the same term for this word, it will be almost impossible to agree.

OneLight

Shalom,

I agree.

I think the term "friend" is causing misunderstanding.

We can be friendly, loving, concerned, courteous, and more and not be "bosom buddies" with this person. To me, Friendship implies intimacy, a deep, personal relationship. I have many acquaintances that I like and that like me and we spend time together, talk on the phone, do things together, but very few real FRIENDS. I can have non-Christian acquaintances, but I do not wish to have non-Christian REAL friends.

BTW, I DO eat with non-Christians and do all sorts of other things with them, and see noting wrong with that, but as to sharing intimacy and deep personal relationships, I want that person to share Jesus or we really have nothing in common past the "acquaintance" level.

[Guest Biblicist]

I think it very much depends on your strength as a Christian...

My mother was not a strong Christian and being married to a non-Christian [my Father] did indeed bring her down.

But my father's first, best Christian friend was our Pastor who was strong enough in the LORD to not be brought down by my father, instead Pastor was able to bring my Dad up to Christ.

All I know is that Pastor and Dad were the best of friends, working together, dining together, socializing. To me that is friendship. He was not afraid of it, nor did it effect his witness with other's. Pastor was the FIRST and ONLY Christian that tried to befriend my father without forcing the Gospel down his throat.

I think you need to understand that my mother came from a family of pastors, mother was heavily involved in church all her life, yet this pastor was the first one who spoke to Dad on his level. Understood him and was able to reach him in the way that was necessary. I praise the LORD daily for Pastor's friendship, and willingness to allow the LORD to use him to reach my father.

[Vickilynn]

I think it very much depends on your strength as a Christian...

My mother was not a strong Christian and being married to a non-Christian [my Father] did indeed bring her down.

But my father's first, best Christian friend was our Pastor who was strong enough in the LORD to not be brought down by my father, instead Pastor was able to bring my Dad up to Christ.

All I know is that Pastor and Dad were the best of friends, working together, dining together, socializing. To me that is friendship. He was not afraid of it, nor did it effect his witness with other's. Pastor was the FIRST and ONLY Christian that tried to befriend my father without forcing the Gospel down his throat.

I think you need to understand that my mother came from a family of pastors, mother was heavily involved in church all her life, yet this pastor was the first one who spoke to Dad on his level. Understood him and was able to reach him in the way that was necessary. I praise the LORD daily for Pastor's friendship, and willingness to allow the LORD to use him to reach my father.

Shalom Bib,

You know, as I said out the outset, I see both sides. You've made some really important points from your own experience. If your Pastor had NOT been real friends with your dad, only G-d knows if your dad would have ever gotten saved.

I guess we really have to pray, seek the L-rd and take each case individually and can't really say blanketly one way or the other. I don't believe it's a Scriptural issue as much as one of opinion and conviction.

[OneLight]

I think it very much depends on your strength as a Christian...

My mother was not a strong Christian and being married to a non-Christian [my Father] did indeed bring her down.

But my father's first, best Christian friend was our Pastor who was strong enough in the LORD to not be brought down by my father, instead Pastor was able to bring my Dad up to Christ.

All I know is that Pastor and Dad were the best of friends, working together, dining together, socializing. To me that is friendship. He was not afraid of it, nor did it effect his witness with other's. Pastor was the FIRST and ONLY Christian that tried to befriend my father without forcing the Gospel down his throat.

I think you need to understand that my mother came from a family of pastors, mother was heavily involved in church all her life, yet this pastor was the first one who spoke to Dad on his level. Understood him and was able to reach him in the way that was necessary. I praise the LORD daily for Pastor's friendship, and willingness to allow the LORD to use him to reach my father.

Shalom Bib,

You know, as I said out the outset, I see both sides. You've made some really important points from your own experience. If your Pastor had NOT been real friends with your dad, only G-d knows if your dad would have ever gotten saved.

I guess we really have to pray, seek the L-rd and take each case individually and can't really say blanketly one way or the other. I don't believe it's a Scriptural issue as much as one of opinion and conviction.

Very wise words. Allow the Holy Spirit to guide you and you will not go wrong. We are to put our trust in the Lord and not our own understanding.

OneLight

[Massorite]

I see the divisive word here is "friends". One may think a friend is someone who you meet everyday and have friendly conversations with them and another may see it as being able to discuss your most secret parts of you life with. Until everyone is using the same term for this word, it will be almost impossible to agree.

OneLight

Good point.

In the bible the word friend means family, associate, neighbor and comrade. The man I spoke of is an associate. To day there is no one close to me except my wife, some family and a few of the brothers and sisters in Christ because not all brothers and sisters in Christ are who they say they are or portray then selves to be.

[patricia1]

Amen Massorite. One light that is why I wrote my definition of a friend. I have a wonderful best friend who is not saved. Her heart is a heart of virtue and she will sacrifice anything for me. She lives not like all of those in the world and is going to give her life over soon.... I treat everyone as if they were my brother or sister I just do not trust everyone. I would be a fool. The word of God says not to put your trust in man...if one does they set themselves for disappointment. Having a spouse as your best friend is one of the greatest treasures God can give... Patricia1

[MeCajunboy]

I've been wondering about this for awhile...

I have many unsaved friends that I am close to, and love very much. But, in the Bible it says:

"For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever?" (2 Corinthians 6:14,15)

"Do not be deceived: 'Evil company corrupts good habits.'" (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Without Christ, an unbeliever is evil in God's eyes.

How close should I be with my unsaved friends? Should I remain friends, but not hang out with them?

How close? about 20 ft away.....lololol got ya' Kari...lolol

[kari21]

How close? about 20 ft away.....lololol got ya' Kari...lolol

So, how did that first case of beer taste?