What should I do?

Question

I was raised as a Christian, and I was recently baptized of my own decision. I believe in God. I am finally (after 16 years) reading the Bible. The group of friends I have hung out with for the past few years are good people. They really are. They were at my baptism without me even asking them to be because they knew it was important to me. They do use some strong language, however, and do some things I know is wrong. They rarely cuss around me because they know I don't like it, and never make me do something I don't want to do. Lately, however, I keep thinking that maybe it's not exactly...I don't know...alright, for me to be hanging out with them. I love my friends, and in my heart I don't want to make new friends. Is this wrong?

Answer 1

It seems like your friends respect your faith. They don't try to talk you out of your faith. They don't try to talk you into doing things you don't want to do. They even change the way they talk when they're around you.

WHY do you want to dump them again? I'm missing something!

Answer 2

I know that it must be hard. You love them and I know you want them to be saved. You have to be careful that you aren't feeling this way because you feel like you might get back into that lifestyle or is it because you think you may make them feel uncomfortable? There are probably a few reasons. I always think of Jesus as He went out into the world and was around sinners. Not in the church where most Christians think you have to be all the time or you're not a Christian. But, Jesus met with Mary Magdalene at the well during the hottest part of the day because she didn't go there when the other women went because of what she was and she felt unwelcome and ashamed. But, Jesus met her and touched her and told her to go and sin no more. You see that over and over again. Maybe you can be His disciple and touch someone in that group at sometime. Try to be around them but maybe not as much or on a smaller level. One or two at a time. You really do influence those that are around you and that is the best testimony, to love them as they are right now as Jesus loves us all. Do what you feel is right but, don't reject them because one soul causes the Angels to sing in Heaven. you will figure it out. Just pray and ask God to help you know what and how He wants you to deal with this. You'll do the right thing. Good night.

Answer 3

Hi sweaty, I'm not much older than u I'm only 20 now, a person who made and well make mistakes,and a female too. so honey no one is perfect and ur friends luv u that's y they don't do the things that upset u =) and trust, I say that because I had a wonderful experience, God well show u the right way as long as u want him to because hes so Great =) so smile and keep smiling for ever because God is always there =)

Answer 4

Dear Delicato, Dont take this offensivly, but Im very concerned about two things. number one you claimed to be a Christian because that was the type of family you were brought up in. Number two you claimed that you were baptized, but it has been sixteen years since you have read Gods word. I would like to ask you to take a few moments to Examine yourself to makie sure your in the faith (Saved). The reason I ask you to do this, is because IM greatly concerned that it seem that perhaps your Christian walk has maybe been uneven and I just want you to make Sure your soundly saved and Not a False Covert as I was for many years. let me ask you a few questions..........
Do you consider yourself to be a Good person? How do you respond to that question? lets look at a few Of the Commandments to see How you do.

Have you ever lied (even once--fibs, white lies, etc.)? Ever stolen (anything--the value is irrelevant)? Jesus said, "Whoever looks upon a woman to lust after her, has committed adultery already with her in his heart." Have you ever looked with lust? If you have said "Yes" to these three questions, by your own admission, you are a lying, thieving, adulterer at heart; and The BIble says if we have hated someone, God sees that as murder. bearing in Mind that Nothing you have done is Hid from His Eyes and he even sees your most intimte and secret thoughts, would you be innocent or guilty on the day of Judgement? of course you and I both would be guilty, our conscience affirms the truth of the Commandments, and the BIble says we would be guilty also. the terrible news is that God is Holy and Just Judge of all the Universe and he (God) must by nature carry out Justice. the Justice for our sin is death and hell. thats Not Gods will, he has provided a way for us to be forgiven. He sent His Son to take our punishment: "God commended His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us." He was bruised for our iniquities. Jesus then rose from the dead and defeated death.
Your own so-called “goodness” can’t get you into heaven any more than mine could. Jesus is the only way to Heaven. He is the "Door," the only "mediator." There is salvation in no other name and delicato, the BIble say's if you will repent (turn from sin) and place your ful faith and trust in Jesus as you would trust a Parachute, God will forgive you and grant you the gift of everlasting life. Not only that, But God will guard you with his spirirt and you will have a unquenchable desire to read his word and learn and fellowship with other belivers. best of all you will Know you have eternal life. Please, I Hope you will examine yourself, because were not promised tommorow, and I was truly blessed that God gave me time enough to see How I had sined against Him and repent and trust in him.
God Bless
WDJD

Answer 5

this is tough. easier said then done. i went through the same struggle. Maybe you dont have to leave them completely. just spend less time with them, and more time with christian friends. that doesnt mean ditch them completley. just spend a little time away, so they wont effect your walk with christ. its not gonna be easy. but thats all a part of the walk with christ. making sacrifices.
talk to them more about God and your beliefs. spread the word!
i read a verse yesterday....it was Matthew 5:13. it reads, "you are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled by men."
those are powerful words. You are to be the salt of the earth. make the world thirst for what you have. stand out and make a difference. if you dont, you lose your "flavor" and become trampled on by the world. be like salt. make the people thirst for the living water. thats an awesome verse. i hope i encouraged you. God bless
--sarah

Answer 6

no it is not wrong to be feeling the way you are feeling because the holy spirit is with you and that's why you are feeling like you are, nothing to be afraid of, and you can choose to keep your friendship with the present friends no one can tell you what friends to pick just trust the spirit and what is put in your heart, however be open and honest with your friends and let them know if any of their actions do not agree with your conscience and if they are true friends they will understand and respect your faith, also keep reading the bible, Good Job!!, and attend church so that you will have the fellowship you are guided to have, Best of luck and wishes and god bless, you are doing just fine and are doing the right thing, I wish more people could read or hear testimonies like yours.

Answer 7

Right or wrong is a hard thing to determine in your situation.

Perhaps the reason that they're in your life is that God will be working thru YOU as an example for them. Perhaps they are there because God has a lesson planned FOR you.

Just keep your mind and your heart open to God.

Answer 8

In my opinion, you need to keep your friends. Don't shun them just because they are not perfect. You can be a good influence on them. Show them acceptance. That's what Jesus would do. Remember, Jesus hung around with sinners, because it was them that needed him most. Just be strong in your faith, and don't walk away from them, or this will reflect badly on you. They won't like your religion if they think you feel too good for them.

Answer 9

I have a couple of friends like that too.
But there is nothing wrong with making new friends specially Christian friends. You don't have to leave the old ones as long as they respect you and your feelings.
Pray about it and God will answer you.

All of God's Blessings and Guidance

Answer 10

If you are really hungry for God and to please Him, you will leave them. You will not want to hang around those nasty mouth people because you will love what God loves and you will hate what God hates. God hates sin. God is Holy. You can not make those people come to God. He has to draw them. It will be easier for them to bring you back to your old ways because that is what the devil will use them to do. He does not want to lose you. You need to hear a lot of true doctrine and to spend time with God alone worshipping Him and finding out what His will is for you. God wants to do things thru you now. Take Him where He wants to go and do what He wants to do. It is not about you now, It is about God and what He wants. Yes you will need to leave them, but you have God now. If you obey God they will leave you anyway. That is a trick from the devil. Do not worry about anything but pleasing god. You can get real close to God if you want to. How close do you want to be to Him? Spend your time reading His word so you will know what you need to do. Do not spend your time in the devils territory because he will trick you. When you first get born again your spirit is coming alive and it is a baby. It will mature if you stay with God. Ask for wisdom from God. He will show you some things.

Answer 11

- nothing wrong with being around your old friends since they do respect your faith....and that's rare since a lot of people face opposition from their unsaved friends.
you should also have Christian friends - because it's good to have fellowship with people of the same faith and support one another as you learn and grow in the Christian faith.
I continued associating with my unsaved friends but I didn't hang out with them as much...because although my friends were nice to me they didn't have my beliefs and devotion to the Lord - this will become an issue with your friends too (so don't be surprised when it happens) - that's why you need friends who are Christians and genuine in their faith.