Friends are much as family; those who we have long term or we grow up with can be the most difficult to reach for the truth as family members are for similar reasons. Sadly even one who led me along with her mom to the Lord 40 years ago seems to have little interest in meeting since I moved here 2 years ago I haven't heard from him despite a couple attempts to reach out. I am pretty confident he still believes; but that reminded me that there is another category here; namely those who have "deconstructed" from their faith (which used to be known as falling away). As our friends of course the last thing they want us to do is ask them if they are saved or witness to them unless God does a real work on them first. That is like my ex wife who still told me during her rebellion and adultery that she still was saved and walking in the Lord when she decided to marry her lover years later.
Discretion is needed when relationships need to be severed. If our friends can respect our new boundaries as believers that is good; if not they will decide for themselves if it is worth having our friendship. We need to be aware if someone is being used of the enemy to tempt us to fall; and if they engage in activities that we are prone to fall into then we need to remove ourselves; permanently if needed from association with them.
I suppose that is a word of warning much like I stated in regard to nursing homes in the earlier post. We have to be cautious handing out phone numbers or giving any personal information to those we witness to for our own safety as well as others. My friends in Pittsburgh would attempt to screen out those coming to home Bible study; but we need to watch out for each other.
I have seen where wisdom on the subject prevented a possible mishap in the past for someone who wanted to sleep over my friend's house. We need to leave some things to professionals for those with obvious mental issues. Let us follow Matt.10:16
Friends are much as family; those who we have long term or we grow up with can be the most difficult to reach for the truth as family members are for similar reasons. Sadly even one who led me along with her mom to the Lord 40 years ago seems to have little interest in meeting since I moved here 2 years ago I haven't heard from him despite a couple attempts to reach out. I am pretty confident he still believes; but that reminded me that there is another category here; namely those who have "deconstructed" from their faith (which used to be known as falling away). As our friends of course the last thing they want us to do is ask them if they are saved or witness to them unless God does a real work on them first. That is like my ex wife who still told me during her rebellion and adultery that she still was saved and walking in the Lord when she decided to marry her lover years later.
Discretion is needed when relationships need to be severed. If our friends can respect our new boundaries as believers that is good; if not they will decide for themselves if it is worth having our friendship. We need to be aware if someone is being used of the enemy to tempt us to fall; and if they engage in activities that we are prone to fall into then we need to remove ourselves; permanently if needed from association with them.
I suppose that is a word of warning much like I stated in regard to nursing homes in the earlier post. We have to be cautious handing out phone numbers or giving any personal information to those we witness to for our own safety as well as others. My friends in Pittsburgh would attempt to screen out those coming to home Bible study; but we need to watch out for each other.
I have seen where wisdom on the subject prevented a possible mishap in the past for someone who wanted to sleep over my friend's house. We need to leave some things to professionals for those with obvious mental issues. Let us follow Matt.10:16
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