Practical Holiness : Friendships

Introduction

How can you be holy in your innermost thoughts? How does what you "consume" impact your spiritual life?

General Principle: "...be transformed by the renewing of your mind."

Have you ever done something with a friend you later regretted?

Have you chose not to do something with friends that you later wished you had done?

How have you been strengthened in you walk with Christ by your friendships?

How have friendships hindered your relationship with God?

Consider these situations:

Going out to bars, dance clubs, etc.

Going somewhere with friends instead of church.

Spending time in prayer with a friend.

Having your bible study time interrupted by a friend.

Verses

Matt 16:24

"Then Jesus said to his disciples, 'If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' "

Rom 6:12-13

"Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal BODYso that you obey its evil desires. Do not offer the parts of your BODYto sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your BODYto him as instruments of righteousness."

1 Cor 5:11

"But now I am writing you that you must not associate with anyone who calls himself a brother but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or a slanderer, a drunkard or a swindler. With such a man do not even eat."

2 Cor 6:14

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"

1 Thess 5:19-22

"Do not put out the Spirit's fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt. Test everything. Hold on to the good. Avoid every kind of evil."

1 Tim 6:8-10

"But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs."

James 4:11-12

"Brothers, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against his brother or judges him speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. There is only one Lawgiver and Judge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you — who are you to judge your neighbor?"

Thoughts on evaluating your friendships

Do I consistently sin against God when I spend time with a certain friend?

Does this friend encourage to act in conformity to God's will?

Does this person claim to be a Christian, and yet consistently act against God's will?

If I act on the thoughts caused by this, will my actions be pleasing to God?