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Is it right to have friends out side of the church??
So I have these friends that are always bugging me about comeing over. Is it wrong to go over their even though they are not in the church??? Need answer to my questions.
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Rocker for Jesus on -
I agree with part of what Elizabeth said.A witnessing opportunity is all I agree with.But that can be done at school or somewhere else.Not at their home.You do not know what type of lifestyle they lead at home behind closed doors.If they are not apostolic,then I wouldn't go over there.I have NEVER allowed my daughters to go to any of their friends house that are not in church,when they were younger.Because of what I just said.These days,you just don't know about people in their own homes.I allowed my high school daughter to go to one of her school friend's house for a wedding shower last year,because i have met the girl and her mother.But nothing else.
Worldly friends can and WILL have a stronger influence on the younger apostolic kids than you think.One reason is because you are in their invironment and not a Godly invironment.So I would limit myself to whose home I go to.Especially if they are not apostolic.
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Permalink Reply by Ashley Nicole Houston on
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I dont know. I just always feel... bad for saying no to them. I like to have friends but I dont like to say no to them about everything they ask me to do with them. Yes i know in the bible it says not to be unequaly yoked with unbelivers. But wat does that really mean? does that mean not to have friends??
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Permalink Reply by Gary Leight on -
I think being "unequally yolked" would be if you were united with them without the intent of trying to win them to the Lord.
The thing you have to be on guard against is that they do not influence you away from the Lord, not saying they would do it intentionally, but their influence can have a gradual effect that you must stay alert against.
Imagine how great it would be if you can win your friends to the Lord, that would be the best gift you could ever share with a friend !
As far as going over their house, ask your parents what they think and if they can pray with you about it if they are not sure.
Anyhow you can always invite them to church or youth events at the church.
Jesus was a friend of the unsaved because He wanted to lead them into salvation.
Matthew 9:10-12
And it came to pass, as Jesus sat at meat in the house, behold, many publicans and sinners came and sat down with him and his disciples. And when the Pharisees saw it, they said unto his disciples, Why eateth your Master with publicans and sinners? But when Jesus heard that, he said unto them, They that be whole need not a physician, but they that are sick.
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I've asked my parents and they say something like Well do you think its right?? I dont know thats the thing. I ask them to come and they say no. They ask me to come over I say no. I just dont know wat to do. Do i not answer?? wat would you do if you were in that situation?? Yes in that verse I see that Jesus ate with sinners but would it be right for me to go over there even though they are not right with God??
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Permalink Reply by Gary Leight on
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Since your parents seem to have left the decision up to you and you very much sound like you want to do what is right, here is one idea that is always good advice:
This may sound simple, but when it comes to situations with many variables it is especially important, and that is to earnestly pray and ask God for guidance reguarding whether to go over any particular house or not.
God knows what each friend's house is like and if there is any reason for concern, but if after praying you still feel unsure or uneasy about going over it might be that God is not giving you an ok in that instance if you do not feel at peace about going there.
If your motivation is not to keep trying to win them, or if God sees they would not ever be open to receiving the truth, then that might be another possible reason why God may not have you feel ok about going over there.
Scriptures show some instances where the Holy Ghost led the apostles whether or not go certain places they had planned on going.
Acts 16:6,7
Now when they had gone throughout Phrygia and the region of Galatia, and were forbidden of the Holy Ghost to preach the word in Asia, After they were come to Mysia, they assayed to go into Bithynia: but the Spirit suffered them not.
Acts 21:4
And finding disciples, we tarried there seven days: who said to Paul through the Spirit, that he should not go up to Jerusalem.
Acts 13:3,4
And when they had fasted and prayed, and laid their hands on them, they sent them away.
So they, being sent forth by the Holy Ghost, departed unto Seleucia; and from thence they sailed to Cyprus.
Acts 8:29
Then the Spirit said unto Philip, Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.
Acts 11:12
And the Spirit bade me go with them, nothing doubting. Moreover these six brethren accompanied me, and we entered into the man's house
Proverbs 3:6
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Romans 8:27
And he that searcheth the hearts knoweth what is the mind of the Spirit, because he maketh intercession for the saints according to the will of God.
Philippians 2:13
For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.
Luke 11:9
And I say unto you, Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.
1 John 5:14
And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:
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When I have prayed it doesnt seem like God isnt there anymore. Then when that happens wat would i do for the answers that would happen. I love God and all but I just dont know wat to do anymore. If you were in this situation would you let someone go to someone elses house??
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Permalink Reply by Gary Leight on
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If in doubt, don't go, it is better to err on the side of caution if you are not sure.
(also, consider that if they really want to be friends with you then they would visit your church because they would want to see for themselves why it is so important to you)
Sometimes Christians may go thru testing periods where you might not "feel" God because God wants you to depend on faith and not feelings.
His Word never changes so you can always read some scriptures in the Word to help strengthen your faith.
Hebrews 11:6
But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
Jeremiah 29:13
And ye shall seek me, and find me, when ye shall search for me with all your heart.
Jude 1:20
"...building up yourselves on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Ghost"
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Welll I know that. I dont ever go over there because it just doesnt feel right. Some of them i just get this feeling that.. O I dont know. Like I dont belong in that picture if you know wat i mean. Is when i dont feel God like a test??? When i am around kids at schoool and they ask me to come over i always say no not this time but why dont you come to my church?? They dont reply. Is that also God testing me??
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Permalink Reply by Gary Leight on
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If you are reading the Word, praying, attending church and staying faithful to God then it might be a test if you are not feeling God, but reguardless we must remember that we must rely on faith and not feelings.
We are only responsible for sowing the seed of God's Word and watering it with prayer, how any individual responds or not is their free will choice.
Matthew 13:18-23
Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower.
When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
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I do have faith in God and all. But when you dont feel him its hard to know if he is there. When i am in school i ask Jesus to help me. And he does. but when i ask him something else. i dont know if it is me saying it or God. i have read those bible verses. when i do i remember that i am here a certain amount of time. and that i need to sow all that i can. but i brings me down when someone says no repeatedly. i just need to remember that i was put on this world to help people belive
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Permalink Reply by Jackie Thomas on -
I kn ow wat u mean. I went through a time like that but then I heard it reached like this...when ur in school..taking a test. Your teacher is silent. You just keep doing what you know to do. And that's what you do. Eventually something will come. Remember to P.U.S.H..(pray til su,thin happens) another thing tho. This is something I've had to struggle with..don't ask God for an answer 8 times bc you didn't get the answer you wanted. God knows what He's doing. One last thing...about not knowing if its ur flesh or God speaking to you. Your flesh and the devil will NEVER EVER tell u to do something for the kingdom...and God will NEVER EVER tell you to go ahead and do something that could make u lost. Any other questions? Feel free to ask. God bless!!!!
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The thing is, is that i feel lost already. I dont feel like God even hears me.
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