Here's the thing, if you're walking upright with the Lord and surrendered to him. Those friends are gonna put themselves outside of your circle on their own and you won't have to worry about making a decision. Darkness hates light. Trust me lifelong friends will leave you in the dust once you stop the profane language, gossip, watching and listening to worldly things like they do. Once you stop the self idolatry, vanity and drunkenness. Wait to have sex for marriage and involve yourself in church. If you speak out against sinful things in your culture, they're gonna treat you like a weirdo leper and there is no decision to make.
I 100% agree, maybe you can help me though I dont have many friend's (only 2) that I've known for a good part of my life once we part ways i will genuinely be a loner on my own with no one 24/7, how would you deal with it (apart from pray and ask for friend's as God is not obligated to answer that)
I was just thinking of a friend of mine who has drawn away from me and almost never calls anymore since I got saved and have started truly trying to follow God. This friend thinks he is saved but I truly don't think he is unless it has happened recently.
Very helpful conversation. I've pondered this over the years. It's led to me drawing stricter boundaries with some people than others. If I have to abandon/downplay my Christian life and convictions for us to hang out, then that's definitely a problem.
That’s very true, but those are also dangerous words. Do not pursue a friendship if it leads you to doing worldly things, listening to outright sinful words and messages, and if it bares no fruit. Only God will make it obvious on whether you should pursue a friend who lives in the world. Do not hold on to a friendship for the sake of being long-time friends if God does not call you to it. I had to learn this the hard way
My best friend knows I'm a believer in Christ, He knows I believe Christ is coming back. When I told him one day, Jesus is coming back to take His people and to judge the world he laughed. I said "you can scoff and laugh, but that's my belief!" That reply caught him off guard, he was surprised. We're playing this game and we like to give the characters voices. The characters dialogue say omg a lot but I say oh my gosh, instead. I don't take the Lord's name in vain, even in games, and my friend has noticed this. Even he's watching what he says around me. His taking the Lord's name in vain has decreased some. I don't laugh at the things he laughs at. I'm just showing him love and trying to plant the seed. I really don't like the shows he watches, I even get mad when they tell lies about God or are blasphemous.
That “oh my ….” Is such a bad habit. I confess I struggle with it as well. Even saying “oh my goodness” is the same really. I have one friend who says “holy buckets” or “holy cannoli” instead. Perhaps a simply “oh My” which is what my 7 yr old granddaughter says 🤭 Why we feel the need to add something to the end of that “oh my…..” is because we’ve been so programmed by the worlds ways. Lately I’ve come to the point of saying “oy vey “ which conveys that point of shock and awe quite well. But nevertheless I love this story… how you said “scoff all you want but that’s my belief “. 🙏
Hm. Great testimony. I pray the Lord guides you towards those you allow in your life bro and towards those who are in your life right now in Jesus name. Godbless bro 🙏🏾✝️
I'm going through this right now. In fact it makes me restless at night. I've had these friends since 2007 and I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior Last January 2020. Our conversations seem different now and some of it are really not honorable to the Lord. I've shared the gospel with a couple of them but to no avail. I've been wanting to leave the group chat to avoid seeing nasty conversations but I want to just be updated with how they are doing so I find it so difficult to leave the group chat. . I just check it from time to time but I always stumble upon something ungodly everytime I check the group chat. 😭💔 My heart just breaks for them. I pray they would open their hearts to Christ ❤️🙏I have church friends now by the grace of God.
Me too!! It's a struggle honestly. I found a study group (online, mind you) not too long ago and there is a number of non-Christians in it. There is however a few "Christians" in the group, but they don't act like they are. Like you, I shared the Gospel with them and no change. More than once too! I left the group about a month ago (?) and I have told one of the non-believers in the group as to why i left, simply because she asked. On one hand, I personally felt like I was being hated on when I was sharing the Gospel with them. Two people even left the group a while later. On the other hand, I oftentimes feel like I shouldn't have left either. The group claims that they want me back, but I want to follow God and listen to His words, and obey him. Thus, bringing me to this video lol.
@@zariakenney wow, thanks for sharing. That's pretty tough. I honestly believe it's even more difficult to share the gospel with "Christians". But i pray that God would open up their hearts and minds eventually. We did our part in planting seeds. It's probably another person or situation that will water that seed ❤️
i can totally relate to this!!! it is so difficult. i think in time the right people who influence you favorably will stick in your life and others who are simply not meant to be will fall to the wayside. i know its hard to feel yourself distancing from them but of course we must do whats best for ourselves...God bless and hope youre finding peace in your decisions! :)
I can relate almost exactly. I know my presence & testimony has caused some of them to come to realization of the gravity of sin, yet for the most part my presence in friends group/group chats just seems to be a detriment to myself, it always seems like they have the hold to influence me of worldliness over me influencing them with Gods Truth. For one, its easy for me to be enticed if I stay long enough open to susceptibility, and the other is that if they rebel they are not enticed in the slightest to hearing of repentance, its an up-hill battle spiritually yet I know Salvation is the Lord’s.
I honestly want to end all my friendships with worldly people, but at the same time I don’t, because I love them. But it got to the point where a very good friend told me that I am brainwashed and I should stop the "nonsense” or stop forcing my beliefs on them. I wish they just knew that we are in middle of a serious spiritual warfare. It’s just so exhausting when everyone around you is living for their own worldly, disgusting pleasures and dwell in their sins. I am just scared that they will pull me into the broad road heading to damnation and death. I can’t do anything against them than pray that they shall see light and the truth in Jesus, but how if they are blinded by the instruments of Satan? My Lord please come and save your people from this world, I can’t any longer, I want to go home. I’m done with blind and deaf people telling me that I need to see a psychiatrist. They are all heading to hell. I don’t want to end up there too.
your faith in the most high God and his gift of salvation is why you’re going to heaven my friend. Keep seeking him and his kingdom! I pray for you, in Jesus name. Amen
Perfect timing, there are non believers who don't try to change you or convince you to do wrong. I've met individuals who say something is different about me and respect it. I've also instantly felt like I knew them awhile.I spoke with some who told me how they were trying to do better for God.
I've always struggled to have friends for being shy but it got worse when I accepted Christ in High school, also struggle to make friends my age in church. I'm now in College and I've made some friends that aren't christians and one that is but feel like everyone drawing away because we have nothing in common and I never know how to participate in conversations.
@missmystery4525 don't worry about that. trust that God will bring trustworthy people and there's a proverb that says 'the blessing of the Lord brings no sorrow'. so trust that God will bring ppl that will be good for you❤.
@@djohnd I don't wanna not be friends with them like the other person suggested but want friends that understand the importance of being a part of the body of Christ and the connection that is not of this world.
This was insightful. The comment of who is influencing who is vital. Is this possible? Can anyone attest to this kind of relationship with unbelievers? Close-friends not of faith? I am currently separated from my friend group because again their influence leads me to worldliness. Is this a “me-centered” issue? I can admit I sometimes attempt to be accepted by being lenient with sin as time goes on, not as convicted in expressing my light. It feels hopeless to keep up the friendships at all, it feels like they are destined to fail eventually given our difference in spirit. I deeply care for my past friends due to our long history but they reject the Gospel so im put at a cross roads.
Like are boundaries an actual reality we can use or is this just a compromising idea we use to somehow upkeep relationships we know to not benefit us. I know my testimony potentially benefits them, but at what cost to myself & my relationship with Christ? I need new friends obviously.
@@ricoparadiso Truth be told I recently came to be friends with people who did not believe, and, while expressing a minute interest in Christ, mostly seem to be set to either hear me or not hear me on these things of God and repentance and faith in Jesus Christ based on their personal feelings about it. I'm at an impasse: do I not forsake my friend or do I "wipe the dust off my feet" and be frank with them about my hope and my inability to be comfortable with certain things they say or do? Even as I say this, I see our Lord Jesus still calling Judas Iscariot friend, even after he betrayed him. Matthew 26:50 And yet we are called not to walk with fools, or unwise, drunken, or angry people. So, I find that I should distance myself from people in such circumstances.
I too find that some of my friends that I have known for many years that I thought were Christian, ( in fact I was one of them), are not truly following Christ at all, but are living like they always have, I don't see that Christ has changed them at all. The American Gospel and preachers telling someone to say a prayer, go to church, and then keep sinning is so deceitful. I believed the same as they did. Now that I have found My Savior because I earnestly and actively seek Him every day, it is easy to see what is missing in their lives. 😥🙏
@@sandramartinez8105 Yes. Because I was where they are at one time on my spiritual journey to find Christ. I was lukewarm also. Now that my eyes have been opened, I grieve that they will never find the Christ I have.
I have a friend that I am considering not to be in contact with because she is a different believer than me as a Christian and I needed help with making that hard decision...…. and now I know this to help me be with a better relationship with my friend, Thank You.
This helps quite a bit, I have a friend who used to be a believer but now considers herself agnostic. She & I used to date when we were teens & we hadn't spoken since the breakup until recently when she reached out to me look. I was deeply disturbed when she told me she considers herself agnostic I almost feel like God brought her back into my life so that I can minister to her. But this is very difficult for me because honestly I still have unresolved feelings for her & wish we could get back together & talking to her really stirs up those feelings & the times I have tried talking about God & the Gospel she gets really defensive. Part of me really wants to cut her out of my life once and for all so that I can get over her & heal from my emotional suffering. I'm not sure what to do.
Consider yourself blessed. My husband attends Baptist church with me as well as bible study and he still swears, drink beer and wine gave up hard liquor, lies, very material driven ect. I have considered divorce but we all need to carry our cross so help me God
Sometimes, people come into our lives just to mess up our being. We justify that it must be from the Lord because we have feelings for them. We need to analyze and ask God is this really from him or are we actually making excuses for our benefit? From an outside view, the Bible says God IS NOT the author of confusion so, given your dilemma and applying that verse, this situation is not from God. It causes your feelings to be stirred and cause confusion. This is indeed a negative thing. Distance yourself. If you have Godly love for her and put God first, remove yourself from what hurts your heart (protect it) so you could heal and service her from a distance by praying for her. Now, if praying for her still makes you attached, then keep in mind that it may not be your battle to join. We aren't the ones who save, Jesus does. That means pray once that her eyes be opened and God may send someone else to be His vessel. If that emotionally bothers you because it could be another man then that is more of a reason for you to untie from her because you'd be putting your feelings before her salvation. Hope this helps!😀
Don't take that risk, man. Sometimes we justify putting our souls in jeopardy for the sake of helping others, but God doesn't call us to be daring with our souls. Those lingering romantic feelings can blind you too. From what you've said, it sounds like you'd be better off praying for God to send someone to help her or connecting her with somebody (preferably a woman) who can.
Dear brother in Christ, We can't save others until we are saved ourselves first. I had unbelieving guy friends and being young i started to have thoughts i shouldn't be having as a child of God. I am not just sinning myself but also making that friend of mine to fall in to sin. I regret it now, and I want to repent. So the first thing i thought of is cutting of unnecessary talks and chats on phone. Yes, keeping a distance is the first thing we could do and then read the word and focus on Lord. To be free from our own chains first our own bondages of sin. Hope this was helpful brother. I am fighting myself against this, i hope we could both run to the Father and let Him handle it. Abide in Him. 🙂
@@NnannaO yes, amen. If it's from God He is much more likely to send her to a Titus 2 woman then to an ex boyfriend.. Stay clear. Pray that God would place a Godly woman in her life.
Please come quickly King Jesus, we'd rather you do take us out of the world to Behold your glory and learn of all your ways. We've reaped no harvest on the earth though we have loved, lost all and followed you, their ears are dull and they make villains out of the meek who speak the Word of God. Please come, hasten the fullness of the gentiles and come I'm sorry for what we've done to your beautiful world.
WHY would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives concerning eternal life? If you die today are you going to heaven? In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 The apostle Paul tells us what the gospel is: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Gospel means "good news." Your debt has been paid, the death penalty has been paid, you are free. Matthew 18:3 - Jesus said: "Unless you become like this little child you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." This is how to be saved, it is simply child like, as simple as ABC: A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith & this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later, do this now. Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."
- Finding balance & setting boundaries in friendships with non-Christians is a delicate task, as it involves navigating between seemingly conflicting biblical commands. - Scriptural warnings caution against the influence of corrupt company, emphasizing the potential for moral degradation (1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 13). - However, Jesus exemplified befriending sinners, challenging the notion of complete separation from the world (Matthew 9:10-13). - Paul echoes this sentiment by advising believers not to isolate themselves from non-believers but to engage with them in a redemptive manner (1 Corinthians 5:9). - Two guiding questions for Christians in such relationships are: 1) Is the influence transforming, either for oneself or the other party? 2) Is love for the person's spiritual well-being the driving force, or is it merely conformity to worldly behavior?
Always share the Gospel. And when someone says a worldy proverb like "all roads lead to Rome" Share truth from the Scriptures "Jesus is the way, the truth and the life". For e.g.
I really want to change my friends into Christians, but they are all Shamans and some slightly believe so it’s hard. I’m thinking of ending my relationship with them, but it will be awkward and I don’t know what will happen. Thank God though because he will do something, and thank thi video.
For people who are "lonely"... please, get stronger in the Word, and find a church where you see the Fruit of the Spirit, and that is preached Biblical truth.
I hv a friend I love him so much he respects my relationship with GOD , he never do nasty talks because I hv told him GOD hates it and movies nd all etc he has refused to offer me I love him he is ready to let me practice my holy life.... can i be a normal frnddd with him?
I'm actually sincerely sad how people who have not (yet?) been given the gift of faith are categorized. As a result they are treated as if they are not worthy of the same love and support that the that they give thier christian friends. Its been my experience. I'm very supportive of my friends Christian views and i align with a lot of the teachings and im very open to knowing more, I'm not a rypical consumer of media and i have strong morals. What i don't have is faith in the way christans talk about it. . It's not a lack of looking, wanting, asking ect. I just dont have it. Because i dont have that kind of faith i get treated like I'm unworthy of friendship and its really sad and hopeless and yet i still support my friend and HER faith anyway
as a christian, I'm really sorry you've been experiencing this. It is helpful to hear that insight coming from the other side. It is definitely hard navigating relationships when there are differing worldviews and values, but I personally believe that we should all love and be there for one another no matter what. Yeah, it's smart to set boundaries, even if you're not the christian, but I think that we should always treat one another with love and servitude regardless of whether or not we all agree with each other
Why would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives concerning eternal life? If you die today are you going to heaven? In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 The apostle Paul tells us what the gospel is: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures. Gospel means "good news." Your debt has been paid, the death penalty has been paid, you are free. Matthew 18:3 - Jesus said: "Unless you become like this little child you will not enter the kingdom of heaven." This is how to be saved, it is simply child like, as simple as ABC: A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith & this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was. Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings. Romans 14:11 For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later, do this now. Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."
I’m not a very outgoing person. I only have a few friends, but a lot of them do not share the same views on God and morals as me, and as I have grown in my faith I become more and more concerned with the way my friends live and feel as though I need to “fix” then, but I feel in attempting to do so I will also likely lose the few friends I have. I feel that I am stuck in an impossible situation because the only time God or stuff like sexual immorality comes up it’s always in the form of a joke and any attempt to talk about it seriously would make everything super awkward. I will pray to God and ask for guidance, but I would appreciate if anyone here had any advice for me. God bless 🙏
Only religious group can be arrogant enough to judge other people's friendship and love towards another human being based on some old books. Love is love and I don't care what Jesus has to say about that.
Here's the thing, if you're walking upright with the Lord and surrendered to him. Those friends are gonna put themselves outside of your circle on their own and you won't have to worry about making a decision. Darkness hates light. Trust me lifelong friends will leave you in the dust once you stop the profane language, gossip, watching and listening to worldly things like they do. Once you stop the self idolatry, vanity and drunkenness. Wait to have sex for marriage and involve yourself in church. If you speak out against sinful things in your culture, they're gonna treat you like a weirdo leper and there is no decision to make.
This is so true!
Agreed!
I 100% agree, maybe you can help me though I dont have many friend's (only 2) that I've known for a good part of my life once we part ways i will genuinely be a loner on my own with no one 24/7, how would you deal with it (apart from pray and ask for friend's as God is not obligated to answer that)
I was just thinking of a friend of mine who has drawn away from me and almost never calls anymore since I got saved and have started truly trying to follow God. This friend thinks he is saved but I truly don't think he is unless it has happened recently.
God bless you, I thank you for your words they are very true.
Very helpful conversation. I've pondered this over the years. It's led to me drawing stricter boundaries with some people than others. If I have to abandon/downplay my Christian life and convictions for us to hang out, then that's definitely a problem.
well said! :))
Facts
You may experience that God can change your friends if you pursue holiness.
Amen I pray that God is working for my good in this🙏🏾❤️
That’s very true, but those are also dangerous words. Do not pursue a friendship if it leads you to doing worldly things, listening to outright sinful words and messages, and if it bares no fruit. Only God will make it obvious on whether you should pursue a friend who lives in the world. Do not hold on to a friendship for the sake of being long-time friends if God does not call you to it. I had to learn this the hard way
My best friend knows I'm a believer in Christ, He knows I believe Christ is coming back. When I told him one day, Jesus is coming back to take His people and to judge the world he laughed. I said "you can scoff and laugh, but that's my belief!" That reply caught him off guard, he was surprised. We're playing this game and we like to give the characters voices. The characters dialogue say omg a lot but I say oh my gosh, instead. I don't take the Lord's name in vain, even in games, and my friend has noticed this. Even he's watching what he says around me. His taking the Lord's name in vain has decreased some. I don't laugh at the things he laughs at. I'm just showing him love and trying to plant the seed. I really don't like the shows he watches, I even get mad when they tell lies about God or are blasphemous.
What do you mean when you say "oh my gosh"?
@@fredwilson1448 very good point. But can the same be said when many of my brothers and sisters say "oh my goodness."?
@@joshuatrujillo9621 ya it’s not that big of a difference but it’s better than saying o my u know
That “oh my ….” Is such a bad habit. I confess I struggle with it as well. Even saying “oh my goodness” is the same really. I have one friend who says “holy buckets” or “holy cannoli” instead. Perhaps a simply “oh My” which is what my 7 yr old granddaughter says 🤭
Why we feel the need to add something to the end of that “oh my…..” is because we’ve been so programmed by the worlds ways. Lately I’ve come to the point of saying “oy vey “ which conveys that point of shock and awe quite well. But nevertheless I love this story… how you said “scoff all you want but that’s my belief “. 🙏
Hm. Great testimony. I pray the Lord guides you towards those you allow in your life bro and towards those who are in your life right now in Jesus name. Godbless bro 🙏🏾✝️
I'm going through this right now. In fact it makes me restless at night. I've had these friends since 2007 and I accepted Christ as my Lord and Savior Last January 2020. Our conversations seem different now and some of it are really not honorable to the Lord. I've shared the gospel with a couple of them but to no avail.
I've been wanting to leave the group chat to avoid seeing nasty conversations but I want to just be updated with how they are doing so I find it so difficult to leave the group chat. . I just check it from time to time but I always stumble upon something ungodly everytime I check the group chat. 😭💔 My heart just breaks for them. I pray they would open their hearts to Christ ❤️🙏I have church friends now by the grace of God.
Me too!! It's a struggle honestly. I found a study group (online, mind you) not too long ago and there is a number of non-Christians in it. There is however a few "Christians" in the group, but they don't act like they are. Like you, I shared the Gospel with them and no change. More than once too! I left the group about a month ago (?) and I have told one of the non-believers in the group as to why i left, simply because she asked. On one hand, I personally felt like I was being hated on when I was sharing the Gospel with them. Two people even left the group a while later. On the other hand, I oftentimes feel like I shouldn't have left either. The group claims that they want me back, but I want to follow God and listen to His words, and obey him. Thus, bringing me to this video lol.
@@zariakenney wow, thanks for sharing. That's pretty tough. I honestly believe it's even more difficult to share the gospel with "Christians". But i pray that God would open up their hearts and minds eventually. We did our part in planting seeds. It's probably another person or situation that will water that seed ❤️
i can totally relate to this!!! it is so difficult. i think in time the right people who influence you favorably will stick in your life and others who are simply not meant to be will fall to the wayside. i know its hard to feel yourself distancing from them but of course we must do whats best for ourselves...God bless and hope youre finding peace in your decisions! :)
I can relate almost exactly. I know my presence & testimony has caused some of them to come to realization of the gravity of sin, yet for the most part my presence in friends group/group chats just seems to be a detriment to myself, it always seems like they have the hold to influence me of worldliness over me influencing them with Gods Truth. For one, its easy for me to be enticed if I stay long enough open to susceptibility, and the other is that if they rebel they are not enticed in the slightest to hearing of repentance, its an up-hill battle spiritually yet I know Salvation is the Lord’s.
Going thru this. They are not believers 😥 and back biters 💙😥
I honestly want to end all my friendships with worldly people, but at the same time I don’t, because I love them. But it got to the point where a very good friend told me that I am brainwashed and I should stop the "nonsense” or stop forcing my beliefs on them. I wish they just knew that we are in middle of a serious spiritual warfare. It’s just so exhausting when everyone around you is living for their own worldly, disgusting pleasures and dwell in their sins. I am just scared that they will pull me into the broad road heading to damnation and death. I can’t do anything against them than pray that they shall see light and the truth in Jesus, but how if they are blinded by the instruments of Satan? My Lord please come and save your people from this world, I can’t any longer, I want to go home. I’m done with blind and deaf people telling me that I need to see a psychiatrist. They are all heading to hell. I don’t want to end up there too.
your faith in the most high God and his gift of salvation is why you’re going to heaven my friend. Keep seeking him and his kingdom! I pray for you, in Jesus name. Amen
I literally feel the same way. I was just crying about it
Perfect timing, there are non believers who don't try to change you or convince you to do wrong. I've met individuals who say something is different about me and respect it. I've also instantly felt like I knew them awhile.I spoke with some who told me how they were trying to do better for God.
Really needed this, thank you Lord for always being on time
I've always struggled to have friends for being shy but it got worse when I accepted Christ in High school, also struggle to make friends my age in church. I'm now in College and I've made some friends that aren't christians and one that is but feel like everyone drawing away because we have nothing in common and I never know how to participate in conversations.
Dude I’m literally in the same boat! You’re not alone! My grandma gave me this verse look up Colossians 3:2-3
@@SavannahR. Yes thank you so much for this verse, grandmother is very wise. God bless
@@lifeofachristiannursingstu9498 bruh same. Non believers are worst but church folks ain't any less these days. Times are bad, no friendship is gud
@missmystery4525 don't worry about that. trust that God will bring trustworthy people and there's a proverb that says 'the blessing of the Lord brings no sorrow'. so trust that God will bring ppl that will be good for you❤.
@@missmystery4525i realised you posted this last year😅so i hope you have good ppl inyour life rn
Wow! Such clarity. This man is rich in wisdom, thank you Pastor John.
I agree!
I wonder what it says when I have mostly friends that are non-believers and few that are. Pray that it can be reversed for me.
Why not try to be a good friend to them instead of listening to pastors who simply want to have power over your life.
I am the same my friend
It has been so hard to connect with Christian friends like my non believing friends.
@@djohnd I don't wanna not be friends with them like the other person suggested but want friends that understand the importance of being a part of the body of Christ and the connection that is not of this world.
@Jack I can't read between the lines. Please be more clear.
I was just talking about this with God
😄 Love this
It's very true. I had no friends when I was newly saved.
Happy to hear this feeling a little sick of having worldly friends. They are so draining and toxic.
Right on time! I was literally questioning my handling of this. The Lord's timing...
This is so timely, Thank youuuuuuu 💝💝💝
This was insightful. The comment of who is influencing who is vital. Is this possible? Can anyone attest to this kind of relationship with unbelievers? Close-friends not of faith? I am currently separated from my friend group because again their influence leads me to worldliness. Is this a “me-centered” issue? I can admit I sometimes attempt to be accepted by being lenient with sin as time goes on, not as convicted in expressing my light. It feels hopeless to keep up the friendships at all, it feels like they are destined to fail eventually given our difference in spirit. I deeply care for my past friends due to our long history but they reject the Gospel so im put at a cross roads.
Like are boundaries an actual reality we can use or is this just a compromising idea we use to somehow upkeep relationships we know to not benefit us. I know my testimony potentially benefits them, but at what cost to myself & my relationship with Christ? I need new friends obviously.
@@ricoparadiso Truth be told I recently came to be friends with people who did not believe, and, while expressing a minute interest in Christ, mostly seem to be set to either hear me or not hear me on these things of God and repentance and faith in Jesus Christ based on their personal feelings about it. I'm at an impasse: do I not forsake my friend or do I "wipe the dust off my feet" and be frank with them about my hope and my inability to be comfortable with certain things they say or do? Even as I say this, I see our Lord Jesus still calling Judas Iscariot friend, even after he betrayed him. Matthew 26:50
And yet we are called not to walk with fools, or unwise, drunken, or angry people. So, I find that I should distance myself from people in such circumstances.
Non-Christian friends ! ? I have been questioning the friendship, and boundaries of my Christian friends!
I too find that some of my friends that I have known for many years that I thought were Christian, ( in fact I was one of them), are not truly following Christ at all, but are living like they always have, I don't see that Christ has changed them at all. The American Gospel and preachers telling someone to say a prayer, go to church, and then keep sinning is so deceitful. I believed the same as they did. Now that I have found My Savior because I earnestly and actively seek Him every day, it is easy to see what is missing in their lives. 😥🙏
Jill Fortner lukewarm Christians.
@@sandramartinez8105 Yes. Because I was where they are at one time on my spiritual journey to find Christ. I was lukewarm also. Now that my eyes have been opened, I grieve that they will never find the Christ I have.
Jill Fortner it's really sad to think that people prefer what this world offers over what God offers.
You are simply pushing them away because ALL CHRISTIAN PASTORS talk the same exclusivist nonsense that will destroy your life.
Praise God. This has been on my mind since trying to follow Christ.
I have a friend that I am considering not to be in contact with because she is a different believer than me as a Christian and I needed help with making that hard decision...…. and now I know this to help me be with a better relationship with my friend, Thank You.
God is good all the time - and He's always just in time. Thank you, Lord. 🙏🏽
That has helped clear up what I have been thinking the last few days.
Praise you Lord, for Pastor John's teachings. Thank you, Pr. John.
Blech
great word
wow! great answer it really stirs up what I’ve thought is fine regarding the word.
This helps quite a bit, I have a friend who used to be a believer but now considers herself agnostic. She & I used to date when we were teens & we hadn't spoken since the breakup until recently when she reached out to me look. I was deeply disturbed when she told me she considers herself agnostic I almost feel like God brought her back into my life so that I can minister to her. But this is very difficult for me because honestly I still have unresolved feelings for her & wish we could get back together & talking to her really stirs up those feelings & the times I have tried talking about God & the Gospel she gets really defensive. Part of me really wants to cut her out of my life once and for all so that I can get over her & heal from my emotional suffering. I'm not sure what to do.
Consider yourself blessed. My husband attends Baptist church with me as well as bible study and he still swears, drink beer and wine gave up hard liquor, lies, very material driven ect. I have considered divorce but we all need to carry our cross so help me God
Sometimes, people come into our lives just to mess up our being. We justify that it must be from the Lord because we have feelings for them. We need to analyze and ask God is this really from him or are we actually making excuses for our benefit? From an outside view, the Bible says God IS NOT the author of confusion so, given your dilemma and applying that verse, this situation is not from God. It causes your feelings to be stirred and cause confusion. This is indeed a negative thing. Distance yourself. If you have Godly love for her and put God first, remove yourself from what hurts your heart (protect it) so you could heal and service her from a distance by praying for her. Now, if praying for her still makes you attached, then keep in mind that it may not be your battle to join. We aren't the ones who save, Jesus does. That means pray once that her eyes be opened and God may send someone else to be His vessel. If that emotionally bothers you because it could be another man then that is more of a reason for you to untie from her because you'd be putting your feelings before her salvation. Hope this helps!😀
Don't take that risk, man. Sometimes we justify putting our souls in jeopardy for the sake of helping others, but God doesn't call us to be daring with our souls. Those lingering romantic feelings can blind you too. From what you've said, it sounds like you'd be better off praying for God to send someone to help her or connecting her with somebody (preferably a woman) who can.
Dear brother in Christ, We can't save others until we are saved ourselves first. I had unbelieving guy friends and being young i started to have thoughts i shouldn't be having as a child of God. I am not just sinning myself but also making that friend of mine to fall in to sin. I regret it now, and I want to repent. So the first thing i thought of is cutting of unnecessary talks and chats on phone. Yes, keeping a distance is the first thing we could do and then read the word and focus on Lord. To be free from our own chains first our own bondages of sin.
Hope this was helpful brother. I am fighting myself against this, i hope we could both run to the Father and let Him handle it.
Abide in Him. 🙂
@@NnannaO yes, amen. If it's from God He is much more likely to send her to a Titus 2 woman then to an ex boyfriend.. Stay clear. Pray that God would place a Godly woman in her life.
ahhh. This clarifies a LOT for me. Thanks!
Great answer, pastor John!
Bleh
Thank you, praise the Lord
Excellent response
Please come quickly King Jesus, we'd rather you do take us out of the world to Behold your glory and learn of all your ways. We've reaped no harvest on the earth though we have loved, lost all and followed you, their ears are dull and they make villains out of the meek who speak the Word of God. Please come, hasten the fullness of the gentiles and come I'm sorry for what we've done to your beautiful world.
On this messege I am amazed....this might be the touch of God in my heart
WHY would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives concerning eternal life? If you die today are you going to heaven? In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 The apostle Paul tells us what the gospel is: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. For I
delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Gospel means "good news." Your debt has been paid, the death penalty has been paid, you are free.
Matthew 18:3 - Jesus said: "Unless you become like this little child you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
This is how to be saved, it is simply child like, as simple as ABC:
A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith & this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was.
Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings.
Romans 14:11 For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later, do this now. Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."
- Finding balance & setting boundaries in friendships with non-Christians is a delicate task, as it involves navigating between seemingly conflicting biblical commands.
- Scriptural warnings caution against the influence of corrupt company, emphasizing the potential for moral degradation (1 Corinthians 15:33, Proverbs 13).
- However, Jesus exemplified befriending sinners, challenging the notion of complete separation from the world (Matthew 9:10-13).
- Paul echoes this sentiment by advising believers not to isolate themselves from non-believers but to engage with them in a redemptive manner (1 Corinthians 5:9).
- Two guiding questions for Christians in such relationships are: 1) Is the influence transforming, either for oneself or the other party? 2) Is love for the person's spiritual well-being the driving force, or is it merely conformity to worldly behavior?
Thank you
Always share the Gospel.
And when someone says a worldy proverb like "all roads lead to Rome"
Share truth from the Scriptures "Jesus is the way, the truth and the life". For e.g.
I really want to change my friends into Christians, but they are all Shamans and some slightly believe so it’s hard. I’m thinking of ending my relationship with them, but it will be awkward and I don’t know what will happen. Thank God though because he will do something, and thank thi video.
same thing with me bro. they claim to believe , but dont act like it. i havent had this anxiety for a long time, im 16
Blessed is God's word,glory be to Jesus Christ.
For people who are "lonely"... please, get stronger in the Word, and find a church where you see the Fruit of the Spirit, and that is preached Biblical truth.
I hv a friend I love him so much he respects my relationship with GOD , he never do nasty talks because I hv told him GOD hates it and movies nd all etc he has refused to offer me I love him he is ready to let me practice my holy life.... can i be a normal frnddd with him?
Got it
Well said! #daniprakash
Jesus is coming soon, get saved, repent, and follow God’s will!
I'm actually sincerely sad how people who have not (yet?) been given the gift of faith are categorized. As a result they are treated as if they are not worthy of the same love and support that the that they give thier christian friends. Its been my experience. I'm very supportive of my friends Christian views and i align with a lot of the teachings and im very open to knowing more, I'm not a rypical consumer of media and i have strong morals. What i don't have is faith in the way christans talk about it. . It's not a lack of looking, wanting, asking ect. I just dont have it. Because i dont have that kind of faith i get treated like I'm unworthy of friendship and its really sad and hopeless and yet i still support my friend and HER faith anyway
as a christian, I'm really sorry you've been experiencing this. It is helpful to hear that insight coming from the other side. It is definitely hard navigating relationships when there are differing worldviews and values, but I personally believe that we should all love and be there for one another no matter what. Yeah, it's smart to set boundaries, even if you're not the christian, but I think that we should always treat one another with love and servitude regardless of whether or not we all agree with each other
Why would anyone put off the most important decision they could ever make in their lives concerning eternal life? If you die today are you going to heaven? In 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 The apostle Paul tells us what the gospel is: "Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you-unless you believed in vain. For I
delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.
Gospel means "good news." Your debt has been paid, the death penalty has been paid, you are free.
Matthew 18:3 - Jesus said: "Unless you become like this little child you will not enter the kingdom of heaven."
This is how to be saved, it is simply child like, as simple as ABC:
A - Admit that you are a sinner. This is where that godly sorrow leads to genuine repentance for sinning against a righteous God and there is a change of heart, we change our mind and God changes our hearts and regenerates us from the inside out. Romans 3:10 As it is written: "There is none righteous, no, not one." Romans 3:23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (We are all born sinners which is why we must be born spiritually in order to enter the Kingdom of Heaven). Romans 6:23 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. The wages of sin is death, in other words our sin means that we have been given a death sentence, we have the death penalty hanging over our heads, that's the bad news. But here's the good news: the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Ephesians 2:8-9 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith & this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
B - Believe in your heart that Jesus Christ died for your sins, was buried, and that God raised Jesus from the dead. This is trusting with all of your heart that Jesus Christ is who he said he was.
Romans 10:9-10 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
C - Call upon the name of the Lord. Every single person who ever lived since Adam will bend their knee and confess with their mouth that Jesus Christ is Lord, the Lord of lords and the King of kings.
Romans 14:11 For it is written: "As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God." Don't wait until later, do this now. Romans 10:13 For "whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved." "O God, I am a sinner. I'm sorry for my sin. I want to turn from my sin. I believe Jesus Christ is Your Son; I believe that He died on the cross for my sin and that He was buried and You raised Him to life. I have decided to place my faith in Jesus Christ as my Savior, trusting only in His shed blood as sufficient to save my soul and to take me to heaven. Thank You, Lord Jesus, for saving me. Amen."
I’m not a very outgoing person. I only have a few friends, but a lot of them do not share the same views on God and morals as me, and as I have grown in my faith I become more and more concerned with the way my friends live and feel as though I need to “fix” then, but I feel in attempting to do so I will also likely lose the few friends I have. I feel that I am stuck in an impossible situation because the only time God or stuff like sexual immorality comes up it’s always in the form of a joke and any attempt to talk about it seriously would make everything super awkward. I will pray to God and ask for guidance, but I would appreciate if anyone here had any advice for me. God bless 🙏
U
We should not confuse Hypocrites with tax collectors... Messiah ate with ignorant/unregenerated sinners not willful spiritual hypocrites.
Please repent
Only religious group can be arrogant enough to judge other people's friendship and love towards another human being based on some old books. Love is love and I don't care what Jesus has to say about that.
Ooo someone’s triggered 😂