O naughty naughty . . Why do Christians become friends with non-Christians . . and become enemies of God?

Question

3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and[a] adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

James 4:3-4 (New King James Version)


Is it adultery to become friends with a non-Christian? Does it make you an enemy of God?

I'm just reading here on BIble Gateway

Answer 1

Actually I looked at a different verse which say not to be friends with unbelievers. To me this is nothing offensive and really did not try to bring it up against Christianity. You posted this without hesitation because you are Christian. It is courageous just like me to post something against Sunnis and Shias.

Answer 2

No. It just is talking about adulterers. If you read the stuff before and after that it pretty much explains it. I am not a Christian but I have read the bible.

To the one that says asking this question says that the asker is showing how stupid they are. I think you are showing what an idiot you are by not answering the question in the first place. Apparently you don't know how to answer questions, just insult people. How Christianlike.

Answer 3

If you read the four Gospels of the New Testament you will discover who Jesus befriended, Jesus came to save the lost.
If you are perfect you do not need a savior.If you read carefully it also states in the book of Romans, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." Man's righteousness is as filthy rags with God. work out your salvation with fear and trembling.
I don't know much more than you about the subject, but I am going to keep studying and relying on the guidance of the Holy Spirit. Let he who is without sin throw the first stone. I suggest you remain on the earth with the rest of us fallen souls who are relying on Jesus Christ and his righteousness to carry us through. I am going to say a prayer for you, because I believe that you mean well.

Answer 4

James is specifically trying to refine and realign professed believers here.

Elsewhere in this book, he talks about the evils of tongue (watch your language and what you say about others), he talks about how real faith brings forth fruit/works (apparently some people were claiming faith without making/exhibiting any changes in behavior), right before your quote he talks about how they fight with each other out of selfish desires to get their own way ("you ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, so that you may spent it on your own pleasures").

In other words, they are acting like (and resemble) children "of the world" rather than as "people of faith."

This is spiritual adultery. Behavior and thinking like this is how the world generally thinks; and this is what James calls "friendship with the world."

He's not talking about individual relationships between people; he's referring to how their goals and motivations are perfectly aligned with those of the world.


-- Side note about "being friends" with secular people --

If you are going to define friends in a "loose" manner, Jesus spent a lot of time with many people who were from secular society and/or not Jewish, some of whom were engaged in some shady things (prostitutes, tax collectors, and so forth).

The Pharisees actually did consider Jesus tainted because he did these things.

So was Jesus sinful or not by associating with these people?

If you take the claims of Christianity seriously, then you have to accept that Jesus obviously thought it was okay to have these sorts of relationships (eating, drinking, spending time with non-Jews and/or people who had done socially nefarious things).

Christians are even called to "love their enemies." That's pretty heavy stuff.

I think friendship (at least in the sense of respecting, enjoying, and sharing with people who might think differently from you) is included in that calling.

How on earth can we be in community and "love" anyone at all if we're not allowed to interact with them on a personal and relevant basis?

Answer 5

There is a difference between being a "friend of the world" and a friend of the worldly. Being a "friend of the world" is another way of saying being a sinner, or a lover of the sins of the flesh. Jesus himself befriended people who were considered worldly. We are supposed to be friends with people who do not know God, but we are not supposed to conform to them. Sometimes the only Jesus people will ever see is the Jesus in me, so I intend to let that light shine.

Answer 6

No, it doesn't say anything about not being friends with unbelievers, it says not to be friends with the world.
There is a difference you know! Go do some thinking, I'm sure you'll figure it out!!!

Answer 7

I think that you're forgetting one of the principle beliefs of Christianity is that you must love everyone. Jesus sat with the worst crowd to prove that everyone must be loved and that everyone is accepted. So no it's not adultery.

Answer 8

"Friend with the world" is an attachment to things, instead of God. When we place attachment on things, we lose the focus from God. Think of the Jedi...this may help you to understand. I doubt you want to understand, but it may help.

Answer 9

You poor thing, what a closed little mind you have! To sit in your lonely little room and quote the bible all day --everyday--maybe, instead of quoting it, you should practice it--love everyone. Remember, was a Jew---....

Answer 10

How strong is a faith if its believers can't be exposed to the outside world without falling off?

Answer 11

Many Christians could walk through a porno-shop with their eyes closed, and never bump into anything. Blind faith, or a familiar path?

I am among you, but not of you...caw...

black bird has spoken...caw...