Deuteronomy 13:6-8
6 “If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other, 8 you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him.
Ideally our friends and family are a support to us, but sometimes they can be a hindrance to our growth and recovery. Particularly for those who are just coming out of an immoral lifestyle, your friends may well be people who shared in that sin, and who encouraged you in the sin. Or you may have family members who are still trapped in their sin, and are upset that you would want to leave that lifestyle. This will not be easy, but you have to separate yourself from those who would drag you down into sin. This does not mean that you do not love them or care about them (and it must be pointed out that the radical action of death suggested later in verse 9 was not the normal response, but was specific to God's demands at that time). But the principle of separation remains. One of the definitions of the concept "holy" is to be separate. The bottom line is that it is more important to be pure than to be friends with idolaters. If we are faced with a choice between God and family or friends, we need to put God first.
Lord, help me to set appropriate boundaries with unhealthy friends and family, and bless me with friends who will encourage my recovery.
6 “If your brother, the son of your mother, or your son or your daughter or the wife you embrace or your friend who is as your own soul entices you secretly, saying, ‘Let us go and serve other gods,’ which neither you nor your fathers have known, 7 some of the gods of the peoples who are around you, whether near you or far off from you, from the one end of the earth to the other, 8 you shall not yield to him or listen to him, nor shall your eye pity him, nor shall you spare him, nor shall you conceal him.
Ideally our friends and family are a support to us, but sometimes they can be a hindrance to our growth and recovery. Particularly for those who are just coming out of an immoral lifestyle, your friends may well be people who shared in that sin, and who encouraged you in the sin. Or you may have family members who are still trapped in their sin, and are upset that you would want to leave that lifestyle. This will not be easy, but you have to separate yourself from those who would drag you down into sin. This does not mean that you do not love them or care about them (and it must be pointed out that the radical action of death suggested later in verse 9 was not the normal response, but was specific to God's demands at that time). But the principle of separation remains. One of the definitions of the concept "holy" is to be separate. The bottom line is that it is more important to be pure than to be friends with idolaters. If we are faced with a choice between God and family or friends, we need to put God first.
Lord, help me to set appropriate boundaries with unhealthy friends and family, and bless me with friends who will encourage my recovery.