"lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,
having a form of godliness but denying its power.
And from such people turn away!" (2 Tim. 3:1-5)."
2006-11-01 08:41:43 · 22 answers · asked by SmartPerson 1 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
No, love them. Call them out on whatever it is that they're doing, but do it in love. Jesus called the disciples out when they screwed up and both of the letters to Timothy is Paul calling Timothy out because he screwed up.
2006-11-02 02:35:39 · answer #1 · answered by Mud 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think that you are misreading the passage.
He is talking about heretics who claim to be Christian, but who live just like the world and see nothing wrong with their blatant sin (1 Cor. 5:9-13).
He is not talking about turning away from someone who might be less spiritually mature than you, because how could you disciple anyone if you did? And how could anyone disciple or teach you? There is always someone better and more mature than you.
You cannot take verses out of context, and use them as an excuse for being a sinful snob (Luke 18:9-14)
2006-11-01 18:32:09 · answer #2 · answered by Randy G 7 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Friends are just friends. God is God, I don't want to preach to my friends, but whenever the subject comes up~ I have no problem trying to steer them in the right direction. My friend was trying to quit smoking, the first day she was having such a hard time. I said "Seriously, when u get home, pray God for the strength to get through this day." She sort of snickered at me, but that's how I quit. To turn away from friends who are flat out ungodly is one thing, but to turn away from friends who are just a li'l bit behind the path of light are 2 different things. What if u can help them get on track? Then it would be worth it, I think the balance is riotous companions, not friends who just aren't as faithful as some. God loves us all, He knows what we are capable of. Besides, I LOVE MY FRIENDS TOO(just nowhere near how much I adore the Lord)< we are supposed to love each other.:o]
2006-11-01 16:57:06 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Nope. Jesus didn't turn away from Peter... how could I treat my fellow human beings in any less loving a fashion? Besides, you can't take that passage out of context and expect it to stand firm. It was written by a person to a specific group of people who were experiencing a specific set of circumstances. While it might be worth pondering the meaning and implications, it can't be taken wholesale as a new "law."
2006-11-01 16:56:52 · answer #4 · answered by Church Music Girl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
There is a big difference between turning away from your friends who are not where you are spiritually, and moving forward and growing in your faith and in your walk with the Lord, that separates you from those friends who are not as serious as you are. Those friends remain stationary while you continue to grow in the word and with Jesus.
Eventually the two will no longer be compatable and they will go their separate ways. As long as you are gonig in the lit dirriction of Jesus, you will never be alone and or your own.
2006-11-01 16:47:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
I don't think you should turn away. I think you should continue to be their friend and set an example. Everybody has their own depth as to how they follow God, and God has a way of working in them to change their commitment to Him. Love your friends, pray for them, but continue being serious about God.
2006-11-01 16:58:41 · answer #6 · answered by Fish <>< 7 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Surely this would be judging which is the role of the Father. Jesus emphasized that we should love one another as ourselves, even our enemies and neighbours. How can we motivate change and be advocates for good if we walk away? Remember, "Text out of text is pretext." Your scripture refers to the end times and non-Christians. We should never give up on our brothers and sisters. If Jesus could die and rise again for their sins, who are we to dismiss them? Pray that God give you a loving heart.
2006-11-01 16:53:15 · answer #7 · answered by Buffy 5 · 1⤊ 0⤋
You ask one question and then quote a contradiction.
If my friends are Christian, then there's certainly no need to turn away from them. If they are younger in faith than I am, I pray to be a good guide for them. If they are older in faith than I am, then I pray to learn from them.
The quote says to turn away from people who would deceive or distract you from the love and mercy of the one true God.
2006-11-01 16:48:38 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
We are all sinners. That's why we need God's grace. It is our place as Christians to set good examples and show kindness and love. Pray for those who need prayer that they will see the truth. Because they choose to live an ungodly life does not mean you have to follow. It does mean that you still have to love them. We are to love all mankind.
2006-11-01 16:50:26 · answer #9 · answered by rose v 3 · 1⤊ 1⤋
NO!
We are to help them be stronger and hold each other up
it's called fellowship
if this were true than we wouldn't have the job of reaching the lost
2006-11-01 16:45:12 · answer #10 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋