Like all parents, when our children were young, we’d screen their friends. When they went for a visit, I usually went also. I wanted to check out the people and their home more closely. I just wanted to be sure the boys would be safe physically, mentally, and spiritually. Many times, I got to be friends with the mom anyway.
We wanted the boys to have friends who were from Christian families who were walking the walk. What’s good for our children is good for us. Who are your friends? Are they children of God or Satan?
Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? 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. Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
If you are a long time Christian, hopefully your friends are also Christians. If you are a new Christian, this change may be hard. But unless you are married, you are called to separate yourself from those who aren’t Christians. You’ll find it easier to associate yourself with likeminded believers who are walking the walk, and relationships with friends who are not saved or who are doing things that you do not want to be doing will be strained at best. Your mind will be in a constant battle between what they are doing and what is right.
And the woman which hath an husband that believeth not, and if he be pleased to dwell with her, let her not leave him. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace. For what knowest thou, O wife, whether thou shalt save thy husband? or how knowest thou, O man, whether thou shalt save thy wife?
1 Corinthians 7:13-16
If you are married to an unbeliever, you are called to remain married. God may use your influence on your spouse to bring them to the Lord.
LIFE APPLICATION
Today’s challenge is to look at your relationships. Are your friends children of God or children of Satan? Do you need to break off some friendships and start some new ones? I know that sounds harsh, but if your friends are into doing things that you – as a Christian – do not need to be doing, the situation may take care of itself anyway. As you find you have less in common with them than you once did, you will find that you have newfound friends among your brothers and sisters in Christ.