T
So...recently, I have begun 'hanging out' with someone who is a bad influence on me...I mean I always seem to be distracted from following God when I am around them--and this carries on to when I am not around them...
I once just stopped answering the phone when they called...and eventually we just didn't hang out anymore...which I think is fairly cowardly...and I know some of you cannot do this with someone who you constantly see at a job, school, or perhaps a roommate...
...so I am wondering what is the best approach to separating yourself from someone you think is a bad influence on your life?
Perhaps, the brave approach of being straightforward and telling them "I am sorry but we cannot be friends anymore as it seems you are a bad influence/distraction in my life" or something like that is the best and most honest appraoch...perhaps the ONLY approach for someone you always see but you feel God telling you not to be influenced by anymore.
Yes, Jesus did hang out with sinners...but I think there is a distinction between sinners and the wicked, between those who are seeking Christ and those who want you to seek this world...and if you feel someone begging you to chase this world, then a COLD SHOULDER may be the only thing that can save you from the fate of the wicked.
I have been more distracted from prayer and God lately than I have been in years, and I pray this chaos just ends...
I know some of you might respond, who are you to judge? yada, yada.... But I am not trying to judge them or anyone, but just save myself from being distracted from following Christ...perhaps that is it, say straightforwardly, "I am afraid we are not earnestly seeking Christ together and therefore, since I desire Christ alone, I can no longer partake in___________(fill in the blank with whatever worldliness or worldy talk or whatever) with you." This seems both honest and seeking refuge in Christ.
God bless and any advice would be helpful...
tony
ps...I have invited them to church, but even there they do not seem to take it seriously...
I once just stopped answering the phone when they called...and eventually we just didn't hang out anymore...which I think is fairly cowardly...and I know some of you cannot do this with someone who you constantly see at a job, school, or perhaps a roommate...
...so I am wondering what is the best approach to separating yourself from someone you think is a bad influence on your life?
Perhaps, the brave approach of being straightforward and telling them "I am sorry but we cannot be friends anymore as it seems you are a bad influence/distraction in my life" or something like that is the best and most honest appraoch...perhaps the ONLY approach for someone you always see but you feel God telling you not to be influenced by anymore.
Yes, Jesus did hang out with sinners...but I think there is a distinction between sinners and the wicked, between those who are seeking Christ and those who want you to seek this world...and if you feel someone begging you to chase this world, then a COLD SHOULDER may be the only thing that can save you from the fate of the wicked.
I have been more distracted from prayer and God lately than I have been in years, and I pray this chaos just ends...
I know some of you might respond, who are you to judge? yada, yada.... But I am not trying to judge them or anyone, but just save myself from being distracted from following Christ...perhaps that is it, say straightforwardly, "I am afraid we are not earnestly seeking Christ together and therefore, since I desire Christ alone, I can no longer partake in___________(fill in the blank with whatever worldliness or worldy talk or whatever) with you." This seems both honest and seeking refuge in Christ.
God bless and any advice would be helpful...
tony
ps...I have invited them to church, but even there they do not seem to take it seriously...
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