Need some advice and prayer

Shel · Newbie Joined: 11 Apr 2003 Posts: 16

How do you address to someone that you don't think they are living their life for the Lord properly? I mean they go to church, very active there as well, but I don't think they have a personal relationship with Jesus. For only having head knowledge, he has a lot of faith in God. Imagine if he had heart knowledge, what he could do. I would like to address a few issues with him without putting him on the defensive....namely looking at porn on the internet and drinking beer too much too often. He feels that what he is doing is not bad enough to keep him out of heaven. Please pray for him and any advice would be most helpful.

Thanks,
Shel

Nicole · Newbie Joined: 05 Jul 2003 Posts: 9

I know how frustrated you may feel, but keep on praying for wisdom!
I know that God will show you what to say and when to say it. I will be praying for you and your friend.

Your friend is certainly blessed to have someone by his side that cares as much as you do, and God put you in the right place. Just remember that it is ultimately up to your friend to take up his cross and really follow God, and that even if he rejects what you have to say, it is not your fault. It is a personal decision that he has to make to really surrender his heart to God, and it has to be 100% genuine.
Keep in touch!

Davep · Veteran Joined: 02 Apr 2002 Posts: 463

Shel wrote:

How do you address to someone that you don't think they are living their life for the Lord properly? ....namely looking at porn on the internet and drinking beer too much too often.

Several points

1-It doesn't matter what you think or want, but rather what truths are in the Bible and has he read them, and understand them.

2-The Holy Spirt changes people hearts, not us.

3-The Bible is the source of truth.

On the subject of pornography all christian men who make the statement "It's OK", need to ask themselves this question:

Would they fell comfortable watching a porno with Jesus in the room with them?

Don't ask for the answer but make him think about it.

God created commandments for a purpose, because He knew that bad behaviors would lead to bad habits, which in turn would take up residence and become part of our core character. Once a habit becomes part of our character it requires a lot more work to remove it.

It is the slow separation from others that watching and participating in porno causes long term, it isn't the first 5 times, but the 500 to 1,000 times

Ask him how many times a week, he accesses porno

Again don't ask for an answer but make him think about it?

Ask him if he could stop on his own?

Don't look for an answer just make him think, ponder, dwell on the questons and his answers.

Ask him questions which will cause him to question and dwell on thinking about his crutch on pornography. Is He comforming to the habits of this world, or rather to Jesus' instructions?

Use Scripture to cause change and conviction.

RO 12:2
Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is--his good, pleasing and perfect will.

PS 6:25
Do not lust in your heart after her beauty
or let her captivate you with her eyes,

CO 3:5
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

MT 5:28
But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.

Wynne · Full Member Joined: 03 Dec 2002 Posts: 109 Location: USA

Thanks be to Our Blessed Lord that His Spirit will work in us as long as we allow it.

Given all the possibilities of what you might do or say to your friend, dear Shel, there is one thing to remember while you work with him:

Leave him in God's hands.

I pray he will feel your loving concern and see your point.

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