When to separate yourself

[Orr v'emet]

I have been doing alot of thinking lately and I just wonder what some opinions are. I think that there has been some discussion on another thread but I don't remember where it was. Anywho, here is the deal. I work in a dept. and three of my best buds there are non-christians. I have about 3 years vested into these relationships. I am probably the only christian that they have seen. I have been having a real struggle lately. I have been joining in on the complaining about our jobs and how things are handled stupidly, blah blah blah...you get the picture. I feel like they are bringing me down more than I am bringing them up. They have commented on occasions that I am different than them and I seem to be the one they come to with problems but like I said I am stuggling. I pray every day, constantly but I feel like Satan has this hold on me. I recognize that I am a different person here than anywhere else in my life and I hate it. I somtimes think that I should cut off the relationships but then I wonder where that would leave them. Should I break the relationships or is there something else that I can do?

[dwinkjr]

The Friendships are fine to maintain, BUT you cannot be somebody else when oyu are with them. You need to maintain who you are, dont let worrying aobut them or trying to fit in with them hinder your walk with the Lord. If they can't respect you as a christian then they are not true friends and at that point you should seperate yourself from them. I have many friends who are not Christians and i keep them as friends and am there for them in a large part because of that. When they fall down, its nice to be there to have the opportunity to pick them up and praise God for all of it

So I would suggest maintaining the friendships only if you can do so without hindering your walk with God. If at any point you realize you are slipping away because of them, then you need to step back and examine the reasons why. I would bet it is a fear of rejection, or a need to fit in with them as they are long term friends.

I know you will do the right thing, God Bless.

Dave

[Orr v'emet]

The Friendships are fine to maintain, BUT you cannot be somebody else when oyu are with them. You need to maintain who you are, dont let worrying aobut them or trying to fit in with them hinder your walk with the Lord. If they can't respect you as a christian then they are not true friends and at that point you should seperate yourself from them. I have many friends who are not Christians and i keep them as friends and am there for them in a large part because of that. When they fall down, its nice to be there to have the opportunity to pick them up and praise God for all of it

So I would suggest maintaining the friendships only if you can do so without hindering your walk with God. If at any point you realize you are slipping away because of them, then you need to step back and examine the reasons why. I would bet it is a fear of rejection, or a need to fit in with them as they are long term friends.

I know you will do the right thing, God Bless.

Dave

Thanks for the response. They do respect me as a christian and accept me for who I am so it's not that. Perhaps I do need to be more bold when it comes to standing up for what's right. It's hard sometimes. I think alot of times I take the easy way out and don't say anything at all. It's a difficult balance to find....

[Guest Called]

I think alot of times I take the easy way out and don't say anything at all. It's a difficult balance to find....

I would tell em like it is!

[dwinkjr]

The Friendships are fine to maintain, BUT you cannot be somebody else when oyu are with them. You need to maintain who you are, dont let worrying aobut them or trying to fit in with them hinder your walk with the Lord. If they can't respect you as a christian then they are not true friends and at that point you should seperate yourself from them. I have many friends who are not Christians and i keep them as friends and am there for them in a large part because of that. When they fall down, its nice to be there to have the opportunity to pick them up and praise God for all of it

So I would suggest maintaining the friendships only if you can do so without hindering your walk with God. If at any point you realize you are slipping away because of them, then you need to step back and examine the reasons why. I would bet it is a fear of rejection, or a need to fit in with them as they are long term friends.

I know you will do the right thing, God Bless.

Dave

Thanks for the response. They do respect me as a christian and accept me for who I am so it's not that. Perhaps I do need to be more bold when it comes to standing up for what's right. It's hard sometimes. I think alot of times I take the easy way out and don't say anything at all. It's a difficult balance to find....

Yes it is very hard to ruffle feathers with old friends, especially ones you knew b4 you were saved. I still have some i havnt even witnessed to, so i am guilty of the same thing at times. As I said in an earlier thread, sometimes our own pride is the hardest thing to swallow.

God Bless,

Dave

Edited June 15, 2004 by dwinkjr

[Orr v'emet]

Shamefully i have to say that I was saved when I met these girls but in the course of time Jesus has become my focus and I have surrendered my life to Him. It's that crazy worldly part that wants to keep creeping in.

Called, I know you would tell them like it is and you know, I started to put a "but" but perhaps there just shouldn't be a "but" if you get what I am saying....

[BobTriez]

I have been doing alot of thinking lately and I just wonder what some opinions are.  I think that there has been some discussion on another thread but I don't remember where it was.  Anywho, here is the deal.  I work in a dept. and three of my best buds there are non-christians.  I have about 3 years vested into these relationships.  I am probably the only christian that they have seen. I have been having a real struggle lately.  I have been joining in on the complaining about our jobs and how things are handled stupidly, blah blah blah...you get the picture.  I feel like they are bringing me down more than I am bringing them up.  They have commented on occasions that I am different than them and I seem to be the one they come to with problems but like I said I am stuggling.  I pray every day, constantly but I feel like Satan has this hold on me.  I recognize that I am a different person here than anywhere else in my life and I hate it.  I somtimes think that I should cut off the relationships but then I wonder where that would leave them.  Should I break the relationships or is there something else that I can do?

Dear Sister in Christ,

Hear the Word of the Lord.....

Matthew 5:13-16

Salt and Light

13 "You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men.

14 "You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden.

15 Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.

16 In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven

If you feel like they are bringing you down more than you are bringing them up - you are doing something right! The devil will indeed target and attack the light and salt of the World. You are on the front lines - put on your armor. Carry the Word which is a double edge sword in your heart. Do not be discouraged! Let them see Christ in you dear sister. When people look at you, they should say "hey, something's different about her".

Life as a Christian is HARD. Jesus never promised an easy path...He did however promise to be with you! Remember always, that you are to plant the seed of faith. By your testimony through your actions, you have done that. God has the sprinkler....let the Holy Spirit water the seed you have planted.

Get on you knees! Pray!!! Pray that He will guide you and give you strength....

Dear Lord Jesus,

We are helpless without You. We need Your strength. Sometimes we get so discouraged and feel that the evil one has won. Please remind us of your promises. Please remind us that You conquered sin and death 2000 years ago on the cross. Lord God, fill us....fill our hearts. May we be broken before You that You may be glorified. We are Your's and so is everything You've made. Bless our Sister we pray and lift her up. Lift her up so You may be glorified. It's all about You Lord. Help us to never forget that. We bow before You in humbleness.

We pray this now in Jesus precious name,

AMEN

Peace to you...may you experience His strength sister.....

In His service,

Bob

[Guest Called]

Called, I know you would tell them like it is and you know, I started to put a "but" but perhaps there just shouldn't be a "but" if you get what I am saying...

Um, I must be slow cause I don't get it.

[Orr v'emet]

Bob,

Thank you so much for your words of encouragement, they made me tear up! I really do appreciate it!

[Orr v'emet]

Called, I know you would tell them like it is and you know, I started to put a "but" but perhaps there just shouldn't be a "but" if you get what I am saying...

Um, I must be slow cause I don't get it.

what would follow the "but" would be an excuse for why I haven't told them like it is. Now do you get it?