I have a close Friend thats caught up in some worldly behavior, and i need to scriptures to read to him?

Question

He's having some marriage Problems, So he's been going to clubs, Drinking cheating on his wife and he might be doing drugs, we grew up in church together, but we took different paths, he started hanging out with the wrong people, so he's trying to ease his marriage problems with all that stuff.
He has 2 kids, both under 2 years old.
I'm really worried about hi, and where's he's going to end up.
I don't really know the bible that well, So i need some scriptures that could help with his problems.
Thank you's and god bless

I've Tried talking to hi, Tried comforting him, He evan started to cry, i felt like i got somewhere with him, I NEVEr quoted scritpure, i just told him how much god loves hi, and how he's going down the wrong path, but the next week later, back to the same old things, he is Christian, but he's very weak, i know scripture, isn't the best way to go with him, i would like to have some, just to back me up, You know, like i said, We grew up together, Literally in the same crib, We used to basically party together in our younger days, like i said, we took different paths, How is he going to listen to me, he could just tell me i'm no better, But he can't question gods word...

Answer 1

There is lots of helpful scripture to help your friend. Pray with your friend and study together the scriptures.

All the worldly, ungodly things that you mention typical of one who is without God. Encourage him.

Ephesians - Chapter 5:25-33

25. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave himself up for her
26. to make her holy, cleansing her by the washing with water through the word,
27. and to present her to himself as a radiant church, without stain or wrinkle or any other blemish, but holy and blameless.
28. In this same way, husbands ought to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself.
29. After all, no one ever hated his own body, but he feeds and cares for it, just as Christ does the church-
30. for we are members of his body.
31. “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and the two will become one flesh.”
32. This is a profound mystery-but I am talking about Christ and the church.
33. However, each one of you also must love his wife as he loves himself...

PRAY as good friends together. Encourage him to pray WITH his family.

Peace

P.S. The unGodly ones HERE can't possibly tell you how to help restore one back to God. The Word of God CAN restore him. No matter what the non-christians here or those here that use the name christian say.

Answer 2

Why not support his wife & children instead?
Offering to help someone who has taken the path you describe is OK. When they don't listen, however, we need to accept that their answer --at least for the time being-- is No. We can't make anyone want to do right.

Ethical Decisions: A Trait Distinctively Human
- What Is Meant By Ethics?
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2004/12/1/article_01.htm

A drinker is literally 'drowning' his humanity, his ability to reason.
When under the influence, rhen, there is not much chance of 'reaching them'.

The Drinking Trap---Are You at Risk? :
- Alcohol Misuse--A Social Catastrophe
- Alcohol Misuse and Health
- Breaking the Chains of Alcohol Abuse
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2005/10/8/article_01.htm

Drug Abuse--There Is a Solution! :
~ Who Takes Them?
~ Why DO People Abuse Them?
~ There IS a Solution to Drug Abuse
http://watchtower.org/library/g/2001/7/8/article_01.htm

Without their reasoning powers & memory (both of which allcohol erases), people become animal-like. The way to effectively discipline animals when they do something that displeases us, is to with-hold our attention & affection froom them. Immediately. When they do what would be good for them to repeat, we praise them. Immediately & Profusely. The Bible recommends similar treatment for humans who insist on breaking his principles ...

Let Us Abhor What Is Wicked
- Keeping the Congregation Clean
- Inevitable Consequences
- When a Dedicated Christian Sins
http://watchtower.org/e/19970101/article_01.htm

We need to keep our wits about us, & lovingly support those the errant one is hurting by their behavior. Giving even eye contact, or speaking to an animal, feels like areward to them, & so it is with someone who has become senselss & beyond reason.

“‘My son, . . . whom Jehovah loves he disciplines.’ . . . True, no discipline seems for the present to be joyous, but grievous; yet afterward to those who have been trained by it it yields peaceable fruit.” -- Heb. 12:4-11.

That is so in the family, & in friendships, also.

Following the coarse of common sense, rather than that personal feelings, is the wiser & most beneficial for all concerned.

“The heart is more treacherous than anything else and is desperate. Who can know it? I, Jehovah, am searching the heart, . . . even to give to each one according to his ways, according to the fruitage of his dealings.” -- Jer. 17:9, 10.

Common Sense :
- Why So Uncommon?
- How Acquired?
- Of What Benefit?
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2005/5/15a/article_01.htm

Right and Wrong How Should You Decide?
- Differing Opinions
- Is Popular Opinion a Trustworthy Guide?
- Can You Trust Your Own Judgment?
- Finding the Strength to Do Good
http://watchtower.org/library/w/2004/12/1/article_02.htm

"The Bible not only helps us to discern right from wrong but also motivates us to do what is right."

It isn't always easy effectively being someone's friend ... ):
But, with consistency, it CAN work out for the best! (:

Good Friends--Bad Friends
- The Need for High Moral Values
- Sizing Up Potential Friends
- The Most Important Things to Have in Common ...
http://watchtower.org/e/20041208/article_03.htm

PS: There are several Scriptural articles regarding marriage problems here:

Families
http://watchtower.org/archives/index.htm#families

Advanced Search (In case a link won't work, this can be used.) http://watchtower.org/search/search_e.htm

Answer 3

Here are some good ones that you might try. It all depends on his feelings about God and the Bible. He might try to say that he is doing nothing wrong.

Gal 5:19 The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; 20idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions 21and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.

If he thinks that God will forgive him every time. then

Gal 6:7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8The one who sows to please his sinful nature, from that nature[a]will reap destruction;

If he thinks that God might not see him then,

Job 34:21 "His eyes are on the ways of men;
he sees their every step.
22 There is no dark place, no deep shadow,
where evildoers can hide.

Jer 23:24 Can anyone hide in secret places
so that I cannot see him?"
declares the LORD.
"Do not I fill heaven and earth?"
declares the LORD.

Rev 2:23 I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know that I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds.

I hope these will help you.
God bless your efforts

Answer 4

Is your friend a born again Christian, or is he in a pre-salvation state. It seems that this person didn't really make a personal confession to God that Jesus Christ is his lord & savior and had honest heart faith that Jesus raised from the dead.

So, my guess, is he rejected the Love of God. You need to pray to God salvation verses over this person.

Get a romans road salvation track. Find out who you are in Christ. Get books on Gods biblical promises. Also, you can share http://www.fathersloveletter.com with your friend. This letter is for people in a pre-salvation state and people who are born again Christians.

Answer 5

Instead of trying to read scriptures to him why don't you just be his friend and listen to him. If you try and read to him something that he doesn't want to hear (and by him going a different path he may not want to) you're just going to push him away.
Scriptures aren't the only answer ya know.

Answer 6

what about this one for yourself: take the plank out of your own eye before taking out the splinter in your neighbors? dont read him bible quotes, he might not want to hear it, and he might not be your friend after. a real friend would be there for support without the religious propoganda handed to them.

Answer 7

y not just lvl with him and tell him that his life is going no where instead of quoting scripts to him. i'm sure there are ppl in your church who are living this lifestyle and are aware about jesus, but you need to get real with him. tell him about std's, and how he is wasting money on drugs instead of spending it on his kids.

Answer 8

Your friend is having real problems, and you want to read him proverbs? Knock it off. Talk to him, be there for him, and most importantly listen to him. Sermons aren't going to help nearly as much as a good friend.

Answer 9

You need to just be there for him, a shoulder to cry on so to speak. Don't preach at him, it'll just drive him further away. Time heals all, so be patient.

Answer 10

A lot will depend on how religious he is.

Your quoting of Scriptures could put a strain on your friendship.

He needs counseling of a non-religious kind.