Point of View:
When we choose to distance ourselves from our friends who haven’t been making wise decisions, we shouldn’t just be on “friend vacation”, we should be working on our relationship with the Lord. I want to make that point very clear because when we distance ourselves from a friend, it is not a time to quit on them! Time apart from the person who leads us to stumble should be a time to grow stronger, and be more prepared for the temptations that goes along with being that persons friend. So, when should we try to mend the relationships that we have chosen to split up because of temptation? Well, when one of the following two things happens; 1) When your friend has “straightened up” his or her life, and has been choosing to live differently (Not only saying they are different, but also acting differently). If they say that they have changed, Ask to see the proof or “road blocks” that they have stuck in their path so that they do not fall back into the same sin that they used to do. If they are serious about changing, they should have accountability. And the second way we can mend that friendship is; 2) if you have grown closer to God and learned how to put on the armor of God and standing strong against the devils schemes. If you can hang out with that friend again without feeling the need to sin or actually participating in sin, do so and encourage your friend to turn away from that “lifestyle” and straighten up. Show them the barriers that you set up in your life so that you do not fall back into that sin. Don’t forget to make it very clear that you will not be supporting them participating in that sin, but show them that you are there for them when they are ready to quit.
The Challenge:
I want to challenge you to really examine the lives of our distanced friends before we start to mend that relationship. Remember that it could all be a illusion/trick to get you back in there lives. Believe me, I have taken the word of friends that have said they have changed and never to this day have they actually done so. Just remember to keep growing closer to God no matter what the outcome. Pray for, encourage and share wisdom and scripture with that person. Remember that God is the only one who can strengthen us and change the heart of our friends.
Prayer Points:
• Thank God for the friends we do have as we do not deserve to have cool and encouraging friends, but we are graciously given them.
• Ask for wisdom as we are mending friendships, may God be the new center in the relationship.
• Pray for the strength and wisdom to stand strong against the devils schemes.
The Word:
Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come! - 2 Corinthians 5:17
1 What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase? 2 By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer?
- Romans 6:1-2
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