I have a lot of friends who drink and are not the best people to be around. I recently rededicated my life and want to help them turn theres around. Any advice?
2007-05-14 16:11:35 · 36 answers · asked by bigdaddy9145 2 in Society & Culture ➔ Religion & Spirituality
I have found the Way of the Master method to be successful.
Visit this site to learn more:
http://wayofthemaster.com/
~Neeva
==== Additional Info ====
I am very disappointed in the volume of bad answers you are getting. People seem to think that Christianity is a hobby. When you must decide between a good friendship and your latest hobby they suggest salvaging the friendship. This is terrible advice.
Since Christianity is not a hobby but rather the only way to avoid an eternity in Hell what would the real friend do? I would hope that they would be genuinely concerned about their friend's eternal salvation more than their friendship.
As for telling people that God loves them or Jesus loves them what good does that do? To the unsaved the scriptures are foolishness. "Hey Bob! Did you know that El Guapo loves you? You didn't? Really? Well, aren't you glad I came along?" It is very unlikely to help someone realize they are in trouble spiritually and less likely to convince them that they need to do something about it.
LIve by example you are told. Well if you are not being tested and tried for your faith then this might work. However, if you are under seige by Satan what does your life look like to the outside world? Is it something that others will be desirous to emulate? More difficult though are those unsaved that are doing great. Money, power and prestige! Will your example draw them closer to God? Not likely.
To really help the unsaved they have to know they have a problem. They have to know that they have broken God's laws. They have to know that will be judged for doing so. They have to know that failing to repent (turn away) of their sin will result in an eternity in Hell.
I know this is difficult. I wish you well.
2007-05-14 16:14:28 · answer #1 · answered by Neeva C 4 · 3⤊ 4⤋
Oh lawdy, he's seen the light and now he is ready to tell everyone the truth as he sees it and P_iss hes friends off big time.
Minister to yourself and when you finally find the truth that you are seeking, then your friends will have moved on... cause nobody wants to be brow beaten by a religion.
You state in your question that YOU have rededicated Your life, but not that you are going to drag them kicking and screaming with you. Be a friend and tell them that they drink too much and that you are worried. Give them AA cards and walk away.
2007-05-14 17:06:49 · answer #2 · answered by humanrayc 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Where to begin. So you rededicated your life great for YOU. Curious if your friends were accepting of your change or if they immediately declared we have to change him because he's now a rightous hollier than thou morality police. Wait that's how they are going to begin precieving you if you don't make decisions right now. First you should only intervene if their lies a real and immediate reason. Secondly you changed your life when you were ready. A decision you made wholely. Could you imagine if your growth was hijacked by someone trying to force you to change? If you truly want to change their lives stop judging them as doomed and be a friend. Show how your life has changed not tell them. let them make their own mistakes but make it clear you will be there if they need help, you don;t have to like things you feel are immoral but that is your opinion. And as such that is your issue . You need to find the balance of being friends or whether you want to remain friends at all. But that is the only power of change that is truly yours to change.
2007-05-14 17:37:55 · answer #3 · answered by stephen w 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The first thing you do is never preach. The second thing you do is suggest there is a better life style. The third thing you do is tell them about what Jesus said and the fourth thing you do is if they don't want to hear about it, leave them alone. You tried. At least you put the word out. Jesus said, "Go into all the world and teach the gospel". But he also said, "If you go into a city and spread the gospel (translation: good news) and they reject you, leave the city and shake the dust from your feet as you go." Clearly He meant that once they are told the choice is theirs. You don't have to try to "convert" someone more than once. Jesus also said, many times, "He that has ears to hear, let him hear". He also said that when everyone alive has heard his name, then he would come again. You did your part. To those who look for a "rapture". Forget it. Won't happen. That early 18th. Century Darby Dispensationalism was cr*p because He said that the next time he would be seen, everyone will see him including those who crucified Him. That leaves the "Rapture Theorists" hanging because those who are supposedly are going to be "caught up" and taken to Christ are WRONG because unless every eye sees him, no one can see him. Even Paul didn't see Him. He was blinded by a light, and heard Jesus' voice. Whatever you do, do not be decieved by false prophets. And if your friends persist in their ways, shake the dust from your feet and move on.
2007-05-14 16:40:16 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 2⤋
answer: you do no longer. little doubt she's knows of you're a Christian. If she's curious, she'll ask you. She's in all threat heard all of it earlier and perchance even better than you. you pick to be friends, do no longer "minister" to her. Be a pal rather and friends do no longer convert different friends or enable them to force inebriated.
2016-12-17 12:53:43 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Be the light in the darkness...be happy be full of joy...make them wonder why this guy who does not act or do the things we do have so much joy and excitement...make them want what you have.
Very important! Keep in mind. You are wanting them to give up the things they enjoy most in life to experience something they can't even comprehend...be patient with em brother
2007-05-14 18:24:11 · answer #6 · answered by † H20andspirit 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Darlin' -
Walk in Christ's love. Apply what the Bible says about how we should act - and maintain that behavior and they will want to know what is different about you... Be a "living sacrifice" and always LIVE the word daily. BE the testimony of Christ.
Examples:
1st Corinthians 13:4-8a Love is patient and kind; it is not jealous or conceited or proud; love is not ill-mannered or selfish or irritable; love does not keep a record of wrongs; love is not happy with evil, but is happy with the truth. Love never gives up; and its faith, hope, and patience never fail. Love is eternal.
2nd Peter 1:2-8 May grace and peace be yours in full measure through your knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord. God's divine power has given us everything we need to live a truly religious life through our knowledge of the one who called us to share in his own glory and goodness. In this way he has given us the very great and precious gifts he promised, so that by means of these gifts you may escape from the destructive lust that is in the world, and may come to share the divine nature. For this very reason do your best to add goodness to your faith; to your goodness add knowledge; to your knowledge add self-control; to your self-control add endurance; to your endurance add godliness; to your godliness add Christian affection; and to your Christian affection add love. These are the qualities you need, and if you have them in abundance, they will make you active and effective in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
And never forget the example Jesus set for us:
John 13:14-17 I, your Lord and Teacher, have just washed your feet. You, then, should wash one another's feet. I have set an example for you, so that you will do just what I have done for you. I am telling you the truth: no slaves are greater than their master, and no messengers are greater than the one who sent them. Now that you know this truth, how happy you will be if you put it into practice!
He was speaking of being the servant to all - and having the servant's heart. Seek this.
Get a Christian Mentor and/or prayer partner so that you can have someone help you keep focus on Christ as you deal with your unsaved friends. It will help you with perspective and when two or more are gathered together - Christ said, there would He be also - so you would have agreement in prayer about your friends.
Peace, dear one - I know Christ will be with you!
2007-05-14 16:27:23 · answer #7 · answered by Depoetic 6 · 1⤊ 1⤋
If what you think of your friends is that they "are not the best people to be around" then perhaps you should not be around them.
We are all flawed. Though you have recently rededicated your life, you are also flawed. Until you are able to see the goodness and value in each of God's creatures you are not ready to minister to anyone.
If you truly care about them leave them alone until you truly achieve enlightenment.
2007-05-14 16:20:22 · answer #8 · answered by blytle68 2 · 2⤊ 2⤋
Be a really good example for them. Do not sin. No swearing, no sex without marriage etc. Be a Christian's Christian. That is the only way.
2007-05-14 16:30:23 · answer #9 · answered by Midge 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Praise God at least you found Him.
All you can do my friend is tell them your story.
How your life was, before and how your life with Christ is now. Pray for them like I pray for you all, and hopefully they too will see the light..
You can't make anyone do what they don't want to do, but they in-turn can not make you stop praying for them.
God Loves You.
2007-05-14 16:19:04 · answer #10 · answered by marvs36 3 · 3⤊ 1⤋