Non-christian friends. What IF your BEST friends in life are non-christians?

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Is it OK for a believer to have non-christian friends that are real good friends?

  • Yes

    Votes: 56 78.9%
  • No

    Votes: 5 7.0%
  • Maybe

    Votes: 8 11.3%
  • I dont' know

    Votes: 2 2.8%

  • Total voters
    71
H

hope_is_love

Guest
#61
ofcourse! if we just hung out with the saved, then how would we minister?
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,209
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#62
ofcourse! if we just hung out with the saved, then how would we minister?
There's a big difference between hanging out and ministering/witnessing I think. Well, in my mind anyway.

Hanging out is "fellowshipping," and there are Scriptures to direct us in that area.

Ministering/Witnessing is obeying Christ as He told us to do................but if we are "hanging out" with unbelievers, have we not returned to being "of" the world? Dunno, I guess we can all see this differently, but there are a whole bunch of Scriptures that warn us about how we conduct ourselves while we are "in" the world..........for we are not to be "of" the world.

Anyway, it's just conversation...........everyone has their own belief/understanding in this area, and that's ok...... :)
 
G

GreenNnice

Guest
#63
The Lord leads...... But, we should know this Truth :) And, we are to Love others (that means EVERYONE) as we Love ourselves. And, we do Love ourselves, or, at least, we SHOULD Love ourselves, notice that's no small L either :)
Why is this? God created us. :)
 
Sep 11, 2013
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#64
Excuse me for being so forward but People who think they are better than anyone else is stuck up on themselves. It falls under the category of hypocrite, prideful, arrogant. Its just down right haughty and that is an abomination to God.
 
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p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,209
6,548
113
#65
The Lord leads...... But, we should know this Truth :) And, we are to Love others (that means EVERYONE) as we Love ourselves. And, we do Love ourselves, or, at least, we SHOULD Love ourselves, notice that's no small L either :)
Why is this? God created us. :)
I believe I stand alone in my views about this, but I also believe people are missing the point also.......

FRIEND(S)..........................BEST FRIENDS(S)................. are what is being discussed yes?

Let me try it this way..............Who did Jesus surround Himself with during His ministry? Now, it is certainly true that He went to the "lost," "unbelievers," for that is why He came, but WHO did He SURROUND HIMSELF WITH on a daily/nightly basis?

Think hard............ok, not that hard........ :)

Is Jesus NOT to be OUR example?
 
G

GreenNnice

Guest
#66
You ask and do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, so that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: "He jealously desires the Spirit which He has made to dwell in us"?…
"...you follow Me." The Lord leads . :)
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,209
6,548
113
#67
Ok, one final comment, and then I will let it be..........remember, this IS JUST ME. When I have questions, my first response is to think about what I believe, and that most often is imperfect for sure. Then I realize that I must trust in the Word of God to guide me through His indwelling Holy Spirit.......and I turn to His Word for guidance. Now, His Word will not always agree with my earthy thoughts, but then, my earthy thoughts are most often wrong...........So let us just turn to His Word for guidance in this matter.......And REMEMBER, I am speaking for ME, not for others here. What I would/would not do........and not saying that others MUST do as I do........never would say that.

1[SUP]st[/SUP]John 1:4) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.
5 .) This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light,and in him is no darkness at all. 6 .) If we say thatwe have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:
7 .) But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.

Ephesians
5

1 .) Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 .) And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offeringand a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. 3 .) But fornication, and all uncleanness, or covetousness, let it not be once named among you, as becometh saints; 4 .) Neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor jesting, which are not convenient: but rather giving of thanks. 5 .) For this ye know, that no whoremonger, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God. 6 .) Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience.
7 .) Be not ye therefore partakers with them. 8 .) For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light: 9 .) (For the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness and righteousness and truth 10 .) Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord. 11 .) And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.
12 .) For it is a shame even to speak of those things which are done of them in secret. 13 .) But all things that are reproved are made manifest by the light: for whatsoever doth make manifest is light. 14 .) Wherefore he saith, Awake thou that sleepest, and arise from the dead, and Christ shall give thee light. 15 .) See then that ye walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise,

1[SUP]st[/SUP] Corinthians 5:7) Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: 8 .) Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. 9 .) I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators: 10 .) Yet not altogether with the fornicators of this world, or with the covetous, or extortioners, or with idolaters; for then must ye needs go out of the world. 11 .) But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. 12 .) For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within?
13 .) But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person.

2[SUP]nd[/SUP] John 1:5) And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another.
6 .) And this is love, that we walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. 7 .) For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh. This is a deceiver and an antichrist. 8 .) Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. 9 .) Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son. 10 .) If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house,neither bid him God speed: 11 .) For he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

1[SUP]st[/SUP] Corinthians 15:33) Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners.


2[SUP]nd[/SUP] Corinthians 6:14) Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? 15 .) And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 16 .) And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. 17 .)Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, 18 .) And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.

2[SUP]nd[/SUP] Timothy 3:12) Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution. 13 .) But evil men and seducers shall wax worse and worse, deceiving, and being deceived. 14 .) But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of,knowing of whom thou hast learned them; 15 .) And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 16 .) All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: 17 .) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

God bless you all, and remember this is just how I must respond.......I could not have a best friend why denied Jesus Christ my Lord and Saviour.


 
R

Relena7

Guest
#68
Religious titles (or lack of) don't always guarantee that a person is a good or bad person.
 
T

TroyGodBless

Guest
#69
it is indeed ok to have good friends that are non-Christians. as Christians, we are called to go an tell the good news of Christ to the world, we are also called to be the salt f the earth an light of the world. i believe that if we walk circumspect as ambassadors for Christ then our unsaved friends may come to Christ through the examples that we are making. if they don't come to Christ then on the day of judgement, the lives we lived would be a testimony against such person. in the days of Christ, he sat and ate with the gentiles and so in following his footsteps, we are to be able to have non-christian friends but do so with wisdom: we cannot allow them to have an impact on us instead we should be impacting them so that they can be drawn to God.
 
T

TroyGodBless

Guest
#70
The Lord leads. As I've said, I've had a 'best friend' since I was 5 and it's a situation that constantly allows God around them, because I often say to them, 'The Lord leads,' and that my life is after Him. My friends I want in heaven, and, God knows that, I don't think we are to leave friends unless God takes them away, especially when God's used them to help you in life in a lot of different ways, like my 1.5 year older best friend has done in my life, not to mention, his kids and wife are in my life too and have been for many years now.

But, yes, we are to follow the Lord and IF your best friends are taking you off of God's path for your life, having you compromise your values then that is not good. My best friends are good to me, they are a model family of love that I pray daily can see His Love in their lives . :)
i agree with your comment, we should not leave unless God takes them away. in my case, i had any friends and after i got baptized, i noticed that most of them left eventually and this happened in the most subtle way, we never had any arguments or anything, there was just a distance in the relationship until the ended. i have had a best friend who is unsaved and after she found out that i got baptized, she understood that she cannot speak certain language to me, so even when we are talking and she accidentally curse an expletive, she apologizes and i believe that that's how strong the power of God is. so we are not to eliminate friends. however, if we notice that this friend is going to be no good for us and such person is trying to hinder our growth in God then it is in such a case where we have to choose what is better for us: dropping the friend would not be a problem then.
 
T

TroyGodBless

Guest
#71
we were called to be ambassadors for Christ and that the world through might be saved so we have to go out and tell the good news of Christ. we cannot stay with only christian friends at all times or else the world would be lost and saving the world is the Lord's will.
 

KohenMatt

Senior Member
Jun 28, 2013
4,021
223
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#72
The priests in the Old Testament were constantly exposed to the sin and the uncleanliness of all of Israel. It's interesting to think that there might be some people the priests saw often because of their constant impurity. (I know that is talking about God's people and we're talking about Non-Christians, but follow me here.)

As you read through the Law, a good chunk of the instructions given to the Priests were about how to stay clean and pure themselves. My thought is that God new the Priests were going to be exposed to sin and defilement on a daily basis. But the Law made provision for them to be made clean. It's as if God was saying, "Go be exposed to the world as you minister to them. Here's the way to be made clean." Actually, you could say the same standard and opportunity applied for all of Israel. There were always ways to be cleansed from the death you were exposed to.

Now for us today, we have a purity and a cleanliness that comes from Jesus' sacrifice. He tells us to go into the world and minister. We're bound to be exposed to death and defilement. But because of His work, we don't have to be defiled unless we choose to.

John 17:14-19 "I have given them your word and the world has hated them,for they are not of the world any more than I am of the world.15 My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.16 They are not of the world, even as I am not of it.17 Sanctify them bythe truth; your word is truth.18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.19 For them I sanctify myself, that they too may be truly sanctified."

Matt
 
Feb 17, 2010
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#73
Greenie, I talk with personal experience./// When me and my best friend were BOTH non Christian, we were best mates. Then God decided I would repent from my old ways, and becasue he did not want too, we saw eachother less and less. He wold go to the stripshow, and I would go to a new CD release of Louis Brittz. And so our ways parted.

This is even true in families. Jesus said He did not come to bring peace, but to SEPERATE... I do not hate my friend, and when I was best mates with him, I loved the stripshows myself, but now I DISLIKE the shows and he still loves them. If we do not love the same things, we will NOT FLOCK together.

I love the righteousness now, and my mate does not want anything to do with righteousness. If I see him I will greet him, but we are no longer brothers of the same flock. He does not hate me, I do not hate him, and I love him, as myself, but not as my brothers in Christ.

I will do anything to be brothers in Christ with him, but that is HIS decision. Just as it is mine to either stay with God, or go back to being brothers of the underworld with him.... Haha stripshows are held in the highest of penthouses, but is still from the underworld... lol. ask me I know from the past....

Anyway, I think it is the word repent.... To turn from the evil ways... 180 degrees from Satan to God, If two friends turn to God they will remain friends, and if only one does they will be SEPERATED (one will be sanctified) the other one not... HUGE seperation.

And that is what happened.... Sometime God will be between the two friends.... God seperates (sanctifies) His people in Himself, and the others are FAR OFF!

Jesus served ALL people but only the ones that belived Him were made ONE WITH HIM, the others will never be, if they do not TURN TO HIM.
 
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homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
15,029
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#74
In my experience, I have found that deep friendships with people of other faith (or no faith) eventually erode and die away. When I came to the Lord, I had a lot of good non-Christian friends, but as the years went on, those friendships faded for one reason or another. Usually it had nothing to do with faith differences, but we were taking different paths in life which were leading us apart. As this was happening, a very good Christian friend told me that God was removing my non-Christian friends to replace them with Christian friends. He was right. I don't think there is anything WRONG with having non-Christian friends, but I do think your differences in lifestyle will eventually tamp down the friendship and you'll find it harder and harder to reveal your most intimate feelings with someone who does not share your faith.
If one has no secrets, then no need for any hiding. Yet ask God for you, me and all his children to be wise as serpents, remaining harmless as doves.
For it the love, kindness of God that leads one to change their mind and believe God. Then read the word entirely, just to know God's Mercy love through Son Christ.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
15,029
107
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#75
Brother Bryan, if this statement is true, then you really gotta get out more among the Church and "FELLOWSHIP."

I am always bothered by statements like this.........the idea that unbelievers are "better people to be around" than believers? Either there is a real problem with your circle of believers that you need to investigate, or you just need to find a NEW circle of believers/church to attend/whatever........

Another point is this...................we don't "share our faith" with unbelievers, we witness of the Good News.....To "share" implies that they are returning our "fellowship" in Christ, and this can not be done with an unbeliever.......just my thought there........it is GREAT to witness.........but if we are looking to "share," we need to look to the Church, and dedicate ourselves to doing as Scriptures say, and that is the edification of the Church.......ok, God bless.........
Just another note: I found it funny, how that Christ, preached in the highways and bi- ways, because those religious leaders did not allow him in their place. Catch that their place of worship.
Oh and got accused of hanging out and around the worse sort of sinner.
HMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And he replied it is the sick that need a Doctor.

Now us those that believed and have been born again in God's Spirit it is God's Spirit that leads right?
Who does God desire to talk to the self-righteous, or the sinner? Who lives in you that desires to live through you? So who gets the job done, you, or your willingness to be used by God as Christ was and did?

Lot of self-righteousness in the Churches and all are divided. When those born again are being revealed see the Much fake love, and feeling good about oneself after going, getting pats on the back as if it is from God. Pride is always before a fall.
Roses are beautiful, and do deceive with stickers on them.
Does or has the devil, evil, come to the earth as an angel of light? Trying to deceive and has deceived many, into not preaching the full Gospel of Christ. Keeping live flesh at bay trying to behave and stay saved, When in truth God has done it all for us at the cross, and has a free gift for us to be born again by the resurrected Christ from Father just as he raised Jesus from the grave. Rom. 6
So others can't get the full gospel of God's full love, because this world had gotten all, or at least many focused on not sinning.
And so each that is focused on this is working out of the energy of their own flesh and are stuck sinning. Some not stuck, because they overcome, at least from their viewpoint, not God's. Problem it is of their flesh and are now self-righteous as Saul thought he was. Phil 3
Hope you get this, it is only God who can show you this verse below and it in-depth meaning
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

And this one here
Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Thank you Father to show and release the captives to you.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
15,029
107
63
#76
ofcourse! if we just hung out with the saved, then how would we minister?
That is exactly the trick of evil, that can do nothing about one's salvation, so he has spread himself out to captivate anyone, or as many as possible to not hang out with the sinners and rebuke them, causing problems as was back in the day of Christ by the self-righteous, it causes and has caused non-believers, many to this day. But I know I can trust God to use me, can you do the same praying so?

1 Corinthians 2:13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1 Corinthians 2:15 But he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man.
Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
15,029
107
63
#77
There's a big difference between hanging out and ministering/witnessing I think. Well, in my mind anyway.

Hanging out is "fellowshipping," and there are Scriptures to direct us in that area.

Ministering/Witnessing is obeying Christ as He told us to do................but if we are "hanging out" with unbelievers, have we not returned to being "of" the world? Dunno, I guess we can all see this differently, but there are a whole bunch of Scriptures that warn us about how we conduct ourselves while we are "in" the world..........for we are not to be "of" the world.

Anyway, it's just conversation...........everyone has their own belief/understanding in this area, and that's ok...... :)
Is not their God in you, via the Holy Ghost that leads you?
 

p_rehbein

Senior Member
Sep 4, 2013
30,209
6,548
113
#78
Just another note: I found it funny, how that Christ, preached in the highways and bi- ways, because those religious leaders did not allow him in their place. Catch that their place of worship.
Oh and got accused of hanging out and around the worse sort of sinner.
HMMMMM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! And he replied it is the sick that need a Doctor.

Now us those that believed and have been born again in God's Spirit it is God's Spirit that leads right?
Who does God desire to talk to the self-righteous, or the sinner? Who lives in you that desires to live through you? So who gets the job done, you, or your willingness to be used by God as Christ was and did?

Lot of self-righteousness in the Churches and all are divided. When those born again are being revealed see the Much fake love, and feeling good about oneself after going, getting pats on the back as if it is from God. Pride is always before a fall.
Roses are beautiful, and do deceive with stickers on them.
Does or has the devil, evil, come to the earth as an angel of light? Trying to deceive and has deceived many, into not preaching the full Gospel of Christ. Keeping live flesh at bay trying to behave and stay saved, When in truth God has done it all for us at the cross, and has a free gift for us to be born again by the resurrected Christ from Father just as he raised Jesus from the grave. Rom. 6
So others can't get the full gospel of God's full love, because this world had gotten all, or at least many focused on not sinning.
And so each that is focused on this is working out of the energy of their own flesh and are stuck sinning. Some not stuck, because they overcome, at least from their viewpoint, not God's. Problem it is of their flesh and are now self-righteous as Saul thought he was. Phil 3
Hope you get this, it is only God who can show you this verse below and it in-depth meaning
1 Corinthians 12:13 For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

And this one here
Galatians 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Thank you Father to show and release the captives to you.
( :) that's a foul! I already said I would move on from this thread......as folks seemed to not understand my comments.....and I must be true to my words.........so, God bless)

QUOTE FROM ME: Ok, one final comment, and then I will let it be..........remember, this IS JUST ME.
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
15,029
107
63
#79
The Lord leads...... But, we should know this Truth :) And, we are to Love others (that means EVERYONE) as we Love ourselves. And, we do Love ourselves, or, at least, we SHOULD Love ourselves, notice that's no small L either :)
Why is this? God created us. :)
Like what you said greennice, but is it possible to love as God loves without first seeing

1 John 4:19 We love him, because he first loved us.

Flesh can't Love God's way at all, so do we not need to be born again by God through the resurrected Christ? and then we walk as he walked in submission to Father as Christ did and does?
 

homwardbound

Senior Member
Oct 24, 2012
15,029
107
63
#80
Excuse me for being so forward but People who think they are better than anyone else is stuck up on themselves. It falls under the category of hypocrite, prideful, arrogant. Its just down right haughty and that is an abomination to God.
So then be dead to flesh and alive to God in the Spirit of God
Romans 6:11 Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Romans 5:10 For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.

That be the resurrected life yes? did Christ come here to give us life or not?
[h=3]John 10:10[/h]Authorized (King James) Version (AKJV)

[SUP]10 [/SUP]The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.