How Do I Witness To This Friend?

Question

I have a friend who thinks he’s a Christian because he’s nice to people and goes to Church every now and again.

Back in December I called him to wish him a Merry Christmas and he told me that God had changed his life and he was “really getting into church and ‘stuff’”. So, I asked him straight out if he was a Christian and he said, “Absolutely!” In my excitement I didn’t question any further.

A few months later, he told my about his trip to see a psychic and how this person taught him how to meditate and how it makes him closer to God. At that, I KNEW something was wrong. So, we started a 1-on-1 Bible study. (I do the teaching.) I’m pretty tough on him and one day, I flat out asked him, “Dude, why do you go to church?” He told me they play the kind of music he likes, he gets to go hang out with like-minded people, hear some encouragement from the Bible and listen to some good music.

Question: How do you witness to a person who is in left-field but thinks he's saved?

Answer 1

Okay, so the psychic thing is not very Christian-like but what's wrong with meditating? I don't see why meditating can't make someone feel closer to God. His reasons for attending church are great too. Church isn't what makes you a Christian. It's how you live your life. He goes to church to learn, worship and connect with other Christians....all the right reasons. Church is a supplement to the way you choose to live your life. It's like a support group. I think your friend is spiritual and that's great. I wish I could get back to that place. Just keep doing what you do and coaching him. He obviously loves to learn about his creator so keep teaching. If he accepted Christ as his savior then he is saved....even if he isn't doing things your way. That's what the Truth is all about. You remember? The Good News!
You sound like a great friend who really cares about the future of this new believer and that's great. Just remember.....only Christ knows a man's heart. Jus be supportive and keep teaching. It sounds to me like you've been doing a great job. If he really has accepted Christ, then he will keep changing for the better. Good for you and good for your friend.

Answer 2

Ok, there are two roads you can take on this issue. First, make boundaries. Tell him that he doesn't worship or behave in a way that you believe is Christian. Tell him that its nothing against him but his views are different than yours and you don't want to be around, or study the bible with someone who treats religion in a way you disapprove of. End your bible study with him and go on with your life.

OR

Accept that people can worship in different ways, and even under different religions and still be right with God. Let him be who he is and don't bother with weather he goes to services every week. Study the bible with him so you can pass on your knowledge and maybe learn new ways to look at the lessons of the bible.

either way if you feel like you're wasting your time with him, or that he is not sincere about his faith or relationship with the Lord than you need to end this relationship (maybe not the friendship but the spiritual relationship) for your own well being.

Good Luck

Answer 3

What do you think he should act like. So he's not a bible story wizz, but what makes you think that he is not saved? If he believes in his heart that he has found Jesus, than I believe that he probably has.

Things are a lot different today, than when all the 'christian fundamentals' were first dictated. There are a lot more demands that are set upon the population today then there was then. People have to make time for god these days, and the fact that he even does that 'sometimes' is incredible.

In conclusion my left-fielded friend, are sure that you are saved, being that you have taken it upon yourself to do God's job of judging a soul of another.

Answer 4

What makes you think he's NOT saved? I understand that he is engaging in occultic practices, but it could be that he is deceived, rather than unsaved. Christians do things like this all the time. Many Christians think that horoscopes are just a game without understanding the occultic foundations behind them. Teach him what the Word says about consulting mediums and familiars. He enjoys going to church, and he considers fellow Christians to be like-minded. He will receive the Word there too. I don't hear a person running from God, rather a person who is mixing worldly culture into his worship. Scripture says that people perish for lack of knowledge. Your friend is ignorant to what he is doing. He needs to be taught about this, but teach him like he is a brother. I hate it when Christians throw around the word "judge" as a way of saying, "Get off my back and let me do what I want", but you are getting very close to something that looks more like judging than Biblical discernment. When you begin to judge the condition of his soul, you are on dangerous ground. Remember that we are forbidden to judge, but we are COMMANDED to hold one another accountable. Accountability is a loving form of holding them to a standard of relationship, not of rules. The relationship is first to God, then to one another. Your approach should be to show him in scripture where his behaviors are wrong, and then to tell him, "Friend, this is breaking Jesus' heart." Whatever you do, NEVER approach him out of ANYTHING but love. Any other motive is wrong. And if you come to impasse, then your attitude should be to still love him, to keep the door open, but to remove the accountability relationship and still love him. Jesus ate with sinners. He did not condemn and shun them. (Not that you are doing that, it's just a word of warning.)

Answer 5

First of all what he dosent need is a witness...he already seems to know the path to salvation....what he needs is an EXAMPLE...the best thing you can do right now is live the christian life infront of him...as i am sure you know these psychics use the trick of alienation to hook you...this psychic may have done this already by saying "your friends wont believe you" or this or that....be a friend and an example to him...show him by example that the mercy of God and the love of God dosent come by or need the use of some psychic or illusionist...show him the love and mercy of God by being an example....chances are if you say too much right now you will loose him as a friend...ask God to help you witness by example...God Bless You

Answer 6

You may want help from a person higher in the church, a pastor or something like that with more authority (your friend may be dismissing you as someone "on the same level" as he is and therefore "unqualified" to teach him). But right now he needs rebuking (counseling, not attacking him as unChristian, that will only make him defensive) using reasoning and common sense and the scriptures. Go to Kings 1 and 2 (I'm not sure the exact scriptures) and show him about King Saul going to a medium and the resulting destruction of his forces by the Philistines and his death along with that of his sons. I do know there are other examples but I can't remember them, your pastor may know more about them. But remember, whether you do this by yourself or with more assistance from someone else, don't attack but rather counsel and reason with him.

Answer 7

The Bible seperates truth and error....show him in the Bible where it says its not good to go to "witches" or psychics...show him in the Bible what a follower of Jesus is like. Present him truths from the word to show him what he needs to know...maybe he doesn't realize that the things he does is against God's way and needs to be shown by a friend like you. In the website below, they have Bible study guides that cover all kinds of topics and give answers from the Word. God bless!

Answer 8

Personally, dude.... I think you're being kind of arrogant to judge this guy like that. You seem to be saying that JUST because this guy goes to listen to a psychic and meditates, he's "not a real Christian".

Please tell me you're not passing judgement just on that criteria.

I'm not going to claim to be the best Christian - at least not by the standards of others. (You would certainly say I'm out "in left-field".) However, I do believe God and that Jesus came to save us. I believe that the Christian community at large needs to deepen its study of the Scriptures and open their minds to a greater vision of what the Word is really telling us. I also believe there is more to us and our connection to the Divine. And I believe God offers each of us messages in many ways. (And yes, that may include intuitive/psychic senses of ourselves or another person.) I also view meditation as a worthwhile activity. (Prayer is for talking to God, meditation is a way for us to quiet our noisy minds.... which is a good way for to listen to his responses.)

I'm sorry if I misunderstand your position, but you strike me as one of those "Christians" who think if I don't envision God the way you do, talk to him the way you do, or worship the way you do.... I'm not saved and am buying myself a ticket on the express train to hell. (And if you don't think those kinds of "Christians" aren't around, you haven't been paying attention.)

Answer 9

It sounds like you are already sharing your beliefs with this friend, and if you're still close friends, you must be doing a good job at doing so lovingly and respectfully.

Keep in mind, that ultimately, you wouldn't want him to change religions just for you, but for his own conviction that he has personally gained. You can invite him to investigate your church, but ultimately the decision of what he will or will not follow is his own. When it comes to that, keep in mind that sometimes the best way to share your testimony is through your example.

best wishes.

Answer 10

Handle him with care - he is a baby in Christ and needs to grow! Since he's made a profession of faith, you have to assume he's saved - don't judge! You know the old saying that goes "if you don't stand for something you'll fall for anything"? He just needs to find solid spiritual ground - he'll soon realize that psychics are not of God! Just continue to pray for him and with him. God bless!