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Does the Bible forbid Christians from being close friends with non-Christians?
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I personally have always found it difficult to be very close friends with non-Christians. There is always that unspoken barrier of conflicting beliefs. And it's hard for me to have very many deep conversations without speaking of God. For instance, I once had a coworker who was having marital problems. So I offered to pray for her. She said, "Well, do what you want to do, but I don't pray that way." I'm not exactly sure what she meant (whether she didn't pray at all or whether she prayed to another god) but it definitely put a barrier in there that kept us from becoming closer than mere coworkers.
Edited to add:
I'm sorry, I realize that doesn't answer your question. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
Makes sense to me based on my own experiences with unbelievers.
Edited to add:
I'm sorry, I realize that doesn't answer your question. 2 Corinthians 6:14 says, "Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?"
Makes sense to me based on my own experiences with unbelievers.
Nick
Member
I think it's Paul (but I can't remember where) that says he has become poor to help the poor and has being associating with non beleivers so he can get to know them and share God's word with them.
Or something like that. I'll try to look it up later.
But I think what he's saying here, is sure, lets be friends with Christians, and that's a must, especially in a close relationship like marraige etc, but it doesn't hurt to be friends with non-Christians as well, and it gives you a wonderful opportunity to teach them the gospel. Of course you probably won't get as close to someone who isn't a Christian, but who knows? You might have planted the seed in them, God will make it grow and that's a great encouragement!
Or something like that. I'll try to look it up later.
But I think what he's saying here, is sure, lets be friends with Christians, and that's a must, especially in a close relationship like marraige etc, but it doesn't hurt to be friends with non-Christians as well, and it gives you a wonderful opportunity to teach them the gospel. Of course you probably won't get as close to someone who isn't a Christian, but who knows? You might have planted the seed in them, God will make it grow and that's a great encouragement!
Lewis
Member
I wish the whole world was saved, but that is unrealistic, so you have to deal with them, family and friends. Look at what Paul says here.
1 Corinthians 5:9-10
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10Yet 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.
So you can't avoid them all, or you have to go out of this world, and many of them make great, great friends
1 Corinthians 5:9-10
9 I wrote unto you in an epistle not to company with fornicators:
10Yet 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.
So you can't avoid them all, or you have to go out of this world, and many of them make great, great friends
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GojuBrian
Guest
My non-christian friends drink and go to bars, so that keeps me from being close with them. I am still their friend though.
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GojuBrian
Guest
Lewis W said:
Well, thank you for pointing that out, but I do realize that,lol.
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mike111
Guest
Why would anyone think its not ok to be friends with non christians.
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GojuBrian
Guest
mike111 said:
Well, we can be friends with non-christians, but we have to draw the line somewhere.
Non-christians do non-christians things and we can't participate in certain activities. This draws a line in how far our friendship goes.
Timothy
Member
True friendship with someone who doesn't know Jesus is one of the best ways to teach people about God's love. That's if you can get by the urge to preach to them. You can relate you're love for them in a way that doesn't sound preachy. Its important not to be pushy but rather mirror Christ's love to them in a real way. It takes a long time to build a friendship on this level and a lot of patience.
Nick
Member
Sometimes the best way to evangelise to someone is in your acts. If you act Christian-like, then your non-Christian friends might think "Well he's not conforming to the world, and it serious about his faith. Maybe I'll check it out." Or whatever. And I know that I've been encouraged by felllow Christians acting Christ-like, especially in times of stress. For me, the year 12's who are doing their HSC but still come to church are really an encouragement.
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Dave Slayer
Guest
I used to hang out with a lot of non Christian friends. While it didn't necessarily harm my walk with God, it certainly was not the best thing for my walk with God. I do believe it is good to have friends with non Christians and it's not always bad to get close to some non Christians. But, you have to draw a line somewhere. Rather than hang out with them when they do things like party, hang out with them when they aren't partying. Go have dinner with them or something.
It can be tempting to fall into the sins of our close non Christian friends and that is why it is best to avoid being around them when they are living like the world. There are plenty of other ways to spend time with non Christian friends. I believe itis important to have non Christian friends because you can witness to them. However, I believe it is also important to have Christian friends too. We all need encouragement from one another. It is difficult to find that encouragement when we spend too much time with friends that are not believers. Jesus hung out with non Christians, but He only would get so close to them. Jesus was also perfect, so He was able to avoid temptations. We are weak, so we need to be careful.
It can be tempting to fall into the sins of our close non Christian friends and that is why it is best to avoid being around them when they are living like the world. There are plenty of other ways to spend time with non Christian friends. I believe itis important to have non Christian friends because you can witness to them. However, I believe it is also important to have Christian friends too. We all need encouragement from one another. It is difficult to find that encouragement when we spend too much time with friends that are not believers. Jesus hung out with non Christians, but He only would get so close to them. Jesus was also perfect, so He was able to avoid temptations. We are weak, so we need to be careful.
Nick
Member
Actually Dave, you just reminded me of a point I was thinking about.
I kind of drift between two groups at school - some non-Christians and my Christian friends. I like to hang around my non-Christian friends, to try to witness to them, but I have to say that I enjoy my Christian friends more, as we have more in common, one of which of course is our passion for Christ. And it's a large group as well, which is encouraging.
I don't think i'd go to a party with my non-Christian friends though, as some of them are already drinking (i suspect) and they're underage. So I think it's important to hang with both circles, but be very on guard when with your non-Christian friends, as there can (especially in larger groups) be a lot of peer pressure.
I kind of drift between two groups at school - some non-Christians and my Christian friends. I like to hang around my non-Christian friends, to try to witness to them, but I have to say that I enjoy my Christian friends more, as we have more in common, one of which of course is our passion for Christ. And it's a large group as well, which is encouraging.
I don't think i'd go to a party with my non-Christian friends though, as some of them are already drinking (i suspect) and they're underage. So I think it's important to hang with both circles, but be very on guard when with your non-Christian friends, as there can (especially in larger groups) be a lot of peer pressure.
Lewis
Member
You reminded me of something, there was a man here in Philly who preached to mostly everyone, who came into his store, after a while his business shot down like a rocket pointed towards the ground. So would you all say that there is a certain time to lay the Gospel on people or what ? That was a true story, so what do you all think about what this store owner did ? Some of these secular people and saved people did not want to be preached to all the time.Timothy said:
Timothy
Member
Lewis W said:
Christ was very intelligent at the times He ministered to people. Often it was during times of need, always at the spirits leading. It is not beneficial to shove God down the throats of everyone you meet. It does more harm then good. Walking up to a stranger saying I love you your gonna burn in hell is not motivational. It might get some but it is more appropriate to meet a need and offer the gift of love with a bit of God's wisdom. They shall know you by your love, not by your words.
It is probably not really my place to post in regards of this topic.....but.....
As long as we are not letting our non-believing friends to draw us into temptation and lead us astray, when we are to be the example of Christ to them, there is likely nothing truly wrong with being friends with those who are not Christians.
This is what I have always understood being unequally yoked to be to a point....to be friends and allow those who are not believing to influence our lifestyles in ways which are not pleasing to God. Then...I could be wrong about this.
Probably will sound like a hypocrite here...but one of my husband's closest friends is a non-believer whom we have named the baby's godfather due to some of the qualities we feel to be important in a role model. Then....people could frown at me for doing the same with one of my sister's as my son's godmother due to her lifestyle. ....Still....there is not one of us without sin...so if I were to spend my life looking for the perfect godparent...I would never find it.
My apologies for any offense caused. None was meant.
May God Bless You
Danielle
As long as we are not letting our non-believing friends to draw us into temptation and lead us astray, when we are to be the example of Christ to them, there is likely nothing truly wrong with being friends with those who are not Christians.
This is what I have always understood being unequally yoked to be to a point....to be friends and allow those who are not believing to influence our lifestyles in ways which are not pleasing to God. Then...I could be wrong about this.
Probably will sound like a hypocrite here...but one of my husband's closest friends is a non-believer whom we have named the baby's godfather due to some of the qualities we feel to be important in a role model. Then....people could frown at me for doing the same with one of my sister's as my son's godmother due to her lifestyle. ....Still....there is not one of us without sin...so if I were to spend my life looking for the perfect godparent...I would never find it.
My apologies for any offense caused. None was meant.
May God Bless You
Danielle
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Dave Slayer
Guest
LostLamb said:
Not necessarily hypocrtical, allthough I would choose a friend of mine who is a believer to be the Godparents of my children. After all, they are GODparents. ;)
Of course, a Christian Godparent isn't perfect, but to me, a belief in Christ would be the most important quality for me when choosing a Godparent for my children. Don't have any yet, but if I did, I would choose a believer to be a Godparent for my kids.
Dave Slayer said:Not necessarily hypocrtical, allthough I would choose a friend of mine who is a believer to be the Godparents of my children. After all, they are GODparents. ;)
Of course, a Christian Godparent isn't perfect, but to me, a belief in Christ would be the most important quality for me when choosing a Godparent for my children. Don't have any yet, but if I did, I would choose a believer to be a Godparent for my kids.
I know...bad example as a mother and believer to set for others. When it came down to it though....would anyone be any more happy had I selected a believer who had a questionable lifestyle that had sin in it? In this day and age...I do not believe that anymore. I used to.... but I can already think of what a number here would likely say if they knew about the baby's godmother in more depth.
No doubt having good, Christly, examples in a child's life are of upmost importance...but seeing as I, myself am nowhere near....it is doubtful that one would be found easily. But I can surely agree with the logic there.