how do i get him to stop

[sarab123]

my best friend who is 16 is having problems with drinking...it's not serious right now but i know that it can get that way really quickly. he does it to get away from things that are happening at home but i need some good reasons to convince him that it's not the way to go and that when he sobers up the problems are still there. please help--thanks!

 

[Faith In God]

Is he Christian?

 

[sarab123]

he says he is but i know that he doesn't have a strong enough foundation yet to use his beliefs to support his decision to stop...he would never have the courage to stand up in front of his friends and tell them that he loves the God, he'd be too worried of what they would think.

 

[Faith In God]

ooh...

man, I am not good with halfhearted people.

The best I can give at present, is pray ,first of all, and since Christian reasoning doesn't work, you say, resort to telling his parents, if you are concerned for his well-being.

 

[sarab123]

thanks...a lot. i just don't want it to be too late when i decide to do something about the situation.

 

[The Midge]

It is difficult to watch someone self destruct. I wonder if God is doing that with us all the time?.
My wife used to teach kids at a summer camp. They would do memory verses and give prozes for the children who learnt them, and for the team that did best. There was one in her group who never came to church and went her own way who learnt the verses just to get a prize.

Years later she remembered the verse which was about God loving us and saving us even though we were lost. Anyhow she was feeling suicidal and this verse spoke to her at the point of her greatest need.

You can not save someone, not even God will over rule our free will. Much less one of us. Yet you can still plant a little seed that could spring to life years from now.

And seeing as this person os a minor then telling parents/ gaurdians/responsible person is the right thing to do. They may not like you for it, but a little discipline now may stop things getting worse. Trust me in 20 years time you will be thankfull for the odd telling off may well know how it feels to be a parent. It is ot an easy calling.

 

[TheMainException]

First, I want you to just be there for him...talk with him about his problems if he wants. He may not like it, but every once and a while force some stuff into the open...not to often though, or he'll push you away. Second, PRAY...that is the most important thing that you can do for him.

 

[Faith In God]

First, I want you to just be there for him...talk with him about his problems if he wants. He may not like it, but every once and a while force some stuff into the open...not to often though, or he'll push you away. Second, PRAY...that is the most important thing that you can do for him.

yeah, but put 'pray' first, if that's alright

 

[The-Doctor]

you cant make someone change but you can be there for them when they realise they need help. Iagree with Law

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

Pray constantly. Don't try to do anything on your own. Let him see what being a Christian has done for you. Don't tell him...let him see it. This will take time. God's timing is perfect. Don't try to take matters into your own hands by rushing it.

 

[Faith In God]

I feel i must repeat myself.

seeing as he is 16, his parents should be told. I said this earlier, but I think I'll bring it back up.

 

[Faith In God]

Pray constantly. Don't try to do anything on your own. Let him see what being a Christian has done for you. Don't tell him...let him see it. This will take time. God's timing is perfect. Don't try to take matters into your own hands by rushing it.

very few non-Christians (I say this as a point) change because of a Christian example (life). remember the saying? walk the walk and talk the talk. You can't just walk around and having only the way you walk around be your witness. I say this as more of a sidenote than addressing the thread. I apologize, but many Christians substitute acting "extra-Christian", mustering up as much peace and joy as they can around non-believers for witnessing.

 

[Mϋzikdϋde]

very few non-Christians (I say this as a point) change because of a Christian example (life). remember the saying? walk the walk and talk the talk. You can't just walk around and having only the way you walk around be your witness. I say this as more of a sidenote than addressing the thread. I apologize, but many Christians substitute acting "extra-Christian", mustering up as much peace and joy as they can around non-believers for witnessing.

I was speaking of this particular case. I don't believe in cookie cutter witnessing. You must know your audience and if you don't know them you must lead by example otherwise you risk looking like a hypocrite. No one likes to be told what to do.

I agree whole-heartedly that the parents must know. Very good point.