Does having a non-Christian friend corrupt your relationship with God?

Question

I feel his drain of energy my friend has on me. He's negativity and just lack of knowledge really sucks me dry. I can't talk to him about God. Without him trying to insult him. He's a guy that believes in pagan witchcraft stuff like divination. He believes in astrology signs, and taret cards. He doesn't live a moral life and won't change. I'm feeling he's unintentionally trying to ensnare me into his world of sin.

Answer 1

I have several non-Christian friends. My parents aren't Christian. But they all respect my beliefs, and I respect theirs. If you and your friend can't have that kind of relationship, then its either best that you don't talk about religion at all, or you don't continue your friendship.

Answer 2

I'm sure what he's doing isn't intentional, but the negative things that are pulling you away from God and into a life of sin are on a spiritual level. It sounds to me as though it's the enemy (Satan) using what your friend does to drag you down.

There's nothing wrong with having a friend who isn't Christian. In fact, it can serve as a good witnessing opportunity. However, if your friend is participating in things that are not of God like I used to do (pagan religions, astrology, etc) and it's hurting your own relationship with God, I would completely separate myself from this friend if I were you. At least until you're in a place spiritually when you can effectively guard yourself against Satan's attacks.

Hope I was able to help. I'll keep both you and your friend in my prayers.

Answer 3

Let the Bible answer:

"Do not be mislead. Bad associations spoil useful habits"- 1 Corinthians 15:33

"He that is walking with wise persons will become wise, but he that is having dealings with the stupid ones will fare badly." -Proverbs 13:20

"Do not become unevenly yoked with unbelievers. For what fellowship does righteousness and lawlessness have? Or what sharing does light have with darkness? Further, what harmony is there between Christ and Belial? Or what portion does a faithful person have with an unbeliever?- 2 Corinthians 6:14, 15

These commands are for our protection. Having bad associates will harm our spirituality. True, we may have to dismiss friends who do not share our love for God. Although this may be hard, remember Jesus Christ's words at Mark 10:29, 30

“Truly I say to you men, No one has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for my sake and for the sake of the good news who will not get a hundredfold now in this period of time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, with persecutions, and in the coming system of things everlasting life. "

Answer 4

I love your question because I can totally relate to it. I had a friend, now passed on, who was agnostic. However, he was into Wicca, black magic, tarot cards, the whole bit. He would do whatever he could to insult me, or my Lord. For some reason, (it must have been God) I couldn't, and I mean *could not* stop giving him my testimony of what God had done for my life. My friends would even beg me to get away from him because they said I could have testified to a thousand people in the length of time that I had spent testifying to him.

But, the miracle happened. He came to Christ and was born again. He died a few months later, unexpectedly. But I wouldn't trade any of the time I had with him. Because now, he is wrapped in the arms of the Savior, in total contentment and peace.

Of course your friend is draining you and trying to ensnare you. That's how the enemy works through people. But, with Christ's help, you can endure anything. Don't give up on your friend. His soul is at stake. Peace.

Answer 5

Only if you let it. I have many non-Christian friends and there is nothing they can do to hinder my walk with God. The friends I have wouldn't do that. You feel that your friend is trying to ensnare you into his world of sin, you are correct there. It is good that you can see that, you need to pray more and ask the Lord for his help and don't let this friend get to you like that. Just recognize that what he is doing is just the work of the devil. That is satan's job, to bring the Christian down, and what better way than through our friends and family. If it keeps up, you just may have to part ways with this friend and leave him in God's hands.

Answer 6

2 Corinthians 6

Do Not Be Yoked With Unbelievers

14Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? 15What harmony is there between Christ and Belial[b]? What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? 16What agreement is there between the temple of God and idols? For we are the temple of the living God. As God has said: "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."[c]
17"Therefore come out from them
and be separate, says the Lord.
Touch no unclean thing,
and I will receive you."[d]
18"I will be a Father to you,
and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord

Answer 7

Well, first off:

If you're alluding to people 'draining' energy from you, hi. Welcome to the pagan club.

Now that you've stopped reading, I can answer your question.

A) He probably gets sick of hearing about it. If he's a SERIOUS pagan, he's been preached to by everyone. The last person he wants to hear that tripe from is YOU. And if you're doing that to him, you're a lousy friend AND a lousy christian.

B) Tarot. T-A-R-O-T Cards. Astrology/tarot aren't necessarily witchcraft... especially if you're paying for it. Now... MY deck of tarot? Yes, I would happily do a full-out ritual with them. Most 'psychics' don't know what a ritual -is-.

C) He doesn't live a moral life, huh? And you're sitting here, speaking ill of your friend to thousands of people you don't even know. Pot, this is kettle.

D) If his world is so 'sin'ful, why are you around him? D'you think your god WANTS you to shove yourself all over your friend and possibly destroy his life? Sounds like a loving religion to me.

Answer 8

Let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven......Greater is He that is in me than he that is in the world.

Having non-Christian friends does not corrupt my relationship with God. In fact, one of my friends (a longtime Buddhist) accepted Christ as her personal Savior after we got together for a tarot reading one Saturday night. The Sunday school lesson and sermon that morning repeated several of the messages revealed by the cards.....

Remember that Paul wrote God gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-8).

When you interact with your friend sow a seed (share the Word), then water that seed (pray that the eyes of his heart will be enlightened {Ephesians 1:18}) and trust God to give the increase as He sees the need.

Answer 9

Pagans don't care if you become one or not. You find your own path. Witch craft can be something completely different then Paganism. I'm Pagan and don't believe in Tarot Cards. Don't sum everyone up. If you truly BELIEVE is what you believe. Other people's beliefs should matter at all.

Answer 10

No, having a non-christian as a friend should never corrupt your intimate relationship with your g-d. on the contrary it should drive you closer to g-d, WHY? simply because you have a living example in front of you what it will be like for you if you loose your faith in g-d.

Answer 11

No for me. My relationship with God is a private matter. I have a Muslim neighbor, we get along well, we don't talk religion but deals community problems together. We both know if we get religion into our way nothing can be accomplished. My neighbor has their Allah, I have my God. It doesn't matter if Allah and God are the same or in opposite poles.