What Kind Of Friend Are You
James 4:4 "You adulterers! Don't you realize that friendship with the world makes you and enemy of God? I say it again: If you want to be a friend of the world, you make yourself an enemy of God."
Well now. I guess if I look at my relationship with God like I look at my own marriage - I do NOT want to be an adulterer!! No way! However, I guess I have been. When we get caught up in the desires of what we "think" we want, based on what the world shows us "to want" - then we start pulling away for God and His things, and are lured out into the night with these other things. This is 'sneaking around' - OUCH!! It is the things we do, the way we talk, the life we live - that show if we are 'of the world' or if we are 'of God'. Are you the same person in public that you are in private? Are you the same person on Monday to Friday that you are on Sunday? If not - then perhaps you are committing adultery on God. I know, OUCH again!
Yes, we need to associate in and with the world, but we don't have to be a part of it in what we say and do or even think. Yes, we can have friends that are not Christians - but do we get sucked into what they think, do, say and how they act when we are with them? That is a mighty fine line to be walking - and one we should not be walking on at all. The truth is, if someone is going to have a relationship with God based on our actions, and behavior - what will their relationship be like?! Will it be like someone committing adultery? Or will it be like someone fully committed to their spouse no matter what comes their way?! There are ups and downs in life as a Christian, just like everyone else. It is how we live it out for others to see and or be a part of, that show where our true commitment and heart lay.
Today, lets look at what others "see" in us and our relationship with God. Are we standing up for Him like we would our significant other, or are we throwing Him under the bus? Are we encouraging and uplifting His name, or are we bashing Him behind His back? Are we sticking to our commitment, our vows with Him - or are we sneaking around behind His back trying to 'see what else is out there'?! Dear Friend - we are to be as committed to God as we are and or want to be to our earthly spouse. Ok - take it down to a "friendship" level. We are to be the friend we want others to be for us. If we are Gods friend, then how are we treating Him? Are we a loyal friend, or are we a fair weather friend? Do we stand up for our friend no matter what, or do we cave to pier pressure? I believe, that we really DO need to look at our relationship with God and others - through the eyes of Truth. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything that is unpleasing to God, and then to help you make wiser and better choices that uplift and encourage this friendship.
Well now. I guess if I look at my relationship with God like I look at my own marriage - I do NOT want to be an adulterer!! No way! However, I guess I have been. When we get caught up in the desires of what we "think" we want, based on what the world shows us "to want" - then we start pulling away for God and His things, and are lured out into the night with these other things. This is 'sneaking around' - OUCH!! It is the things we do, the way we talk, the life we live - that show if we are 'of the world' or if we are 'of God'. Are you the same person in public that you are in private? Are you the same person on Monday to Friday that you are on Sunday? If not - then perhaps you are committing adultery on God. I know, OUCH again!
Yes, we need to associate in and with the world, but we don't have to be a part of it in what we say and do or even think. Yes, we can have friends that are not Christians - but do we get sucked into what they think, do, say and how they act when we are with them? That is a mighty fine line to be walking - and one we should not be walking on at all. The truth is, if someone is going to have a relationship with God based on our actions, and behavior - what will their relationship be like?! Will it be like someone committing adultery? Or will it be like someone fully committed to their spouse no matter what comes their way?! There are ups and downs in life as a Christian, just like everyone else. It is how we live it out for others to see and or be a part of, that show where our true commitment and heart lay.
Today, lets look at what others "see" in us and our relationship with God. Are we standing up for Him like we would our significant other, or are we throwing Him under the bus? Are we encouraging and uplifting His name, or are we bashing Him behind His back? Are we sticking to our commitment, our vows with Him - or are we sneaking around behind His back trying to 'see what else is out there'?! Dear Friend - we are to be as committed to God as we are and or want to be to our earthly spouse. Ok - take it down to a "friendship" level. We are to be the friend we want others to be for us. If we are Gods friend, then how are we treating Him? Are we a loyal friend, or are we a fair weather friend? Do we stand up for our friend no matter what, or do we cave to pier pressure? I believe, that we really DO need to look at our relationship with God and others - through the eyes of Truth. Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you anything that is unpleasing to God, and then to help you make wiser and better choices that uplift and encourage this friendship.
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