Should I disassociate myself from this friend?

[ChristianDesi]

Well this is my first post on here because I really need counsel on what I should do with one of my friends.

He is an atheist as of late he has been calling himself a satanist and has definately been trying for the look. He is geared up with all these piercings, spiked hair, and satanic symbols such as the pentagram.

At least once when we're together around friends he has to bring up the question of religion. All he does is blindly insult christianity and make racist comments. He's a terrible person.

I've tried before to at least show him christianity and find out why he's so bitter. I've had no success and has insulted me for it.

For the past few weeks I've just been avoiding him and whenever I have to talk to him, all he discusses is marjiuana and how he disrespects religion.

I've made the decision to cut out all contact whatsoever with him. Avoid at all costs and he will get the message.

Is it right though? Or should I continue to try and help him?

 

[Rafael]

No, what would light have in common with darkness. Always be willing to receive and help Him even if he is an enemy and speaks against you, but you have no obligation to go after him and be around his blasphemies and insults. You don't have to cut yourself off from him. He has already probably found himself uncomfortable with you, unless he is demon possessed and actully wants to hang around you and taunt you.
Not knowing all the circumstances, it's hard to give exact advice, but pray for your friend and bind satan and the demons from him. The Bible says that it is not flesh and blood that we fight, but principalities and powers in the spiritual realm. Evoke the authority you have in Jesus name over these powers when you pray, and if you have a prayer group, enter his name and situation so that prayers can be lifted up to the Father in his behalf. This would be a help to him, for sure.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

 

[HolyRoller]

No, what would light have in common with darkness. Always be willing to receive and help Him even if he is an enemy and speaks against you, but you have no obligation to go after him and be around his blasphemies and insults. You don't have to cut yourself off from him. He has already probably found himself uncomfortable with you, unless he is demon possessed and actully wants to hang around you and taunt you.
Not knowing all the circumstances, it's hard to give exact advice, but pray for your friend and bind satan and the demons from him. The Bible says that it is not flesh and blood that we fight, but principalities and powers in the spiritual realm. Evoke the authority you have in Jesus name over these powers when you pray, and if you have a pray group, enter his name and situation so that prayers can be lifted up to the Father in his behalf. This would be a help to him, for sure.

Ephesians 6:12 For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places.

Sound advice. You will be in my prayers for God's peace and strength to be with you

 

[ChristianDesi]

Thanks for the sound advice.

I will pray for him but at the same time keep a lot of distance between us. Hopefully he will snap out of the phase and seek help.

 

[desi]

I differ from my esteemed peers here. If you feel God wants you to pursue this person, do it as he advises. If not, let him go and pray for him.

 

[Caelum]

I can relate to your friend very much, as I was in a similar state of mind at that age in my life(assuming he is relatively close to your age(16))...while you may not be able to immediately help him, and only time will..as it is more than likely a phase, as it was for me(the phase of blatant anti-christianity eventually died out, my acceptance of God took longer after that however)...it's important to use the good ole saying "WWJD":

Heres a good example to follow from Matthew 9:10-13:
10While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew's house, many tax collectors and "sinners" came and ate with him and his disciples. 11When the Pharisees saw this, they asked his disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and 'sinners'?"
12On hearing this, Jesus said, "It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. 13But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy, not sacrifice.'For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners."

 

[rogsr]

Love your enemies...

No man is really your enemy. The only enemy it the evil one. If I were you, the next time I saw this person I would look deeply into their eyes with compassion and smile at them with all of God's peace.

Ussually when people are in this state it's because they are trying to break free from social norms, and so they do the most dramitic thing. But it is probably not what is truly in the persons heart. Jesus Christ came and pulled each one of us out of the fires of hell and saved us, so don't be afraid to return the favor

 

[Rage4Christ]

ChristianDesi

If you're a friend you need to communicate with this fellow.
I struggled with skepticism and athiesm for a long time in my life-- and the one thing that I really found odd is how afraid my Christian friends suddenly became of me. I thought-- we may think differently, but is Christianity so weak that they need fear me?

So, the message of fear is not one you want to send.

But, you do need to stick up for yourself and set healthy boundaries.

Matter of factly. Without any undo drama you merely need to say, next time he acts out: When you say what you just said it makes me feel ___________. ( you need to figure out exactly how this makes you feel and communicate to him. You're my friend, I like you, but I don't want to feel ___________, so could you please not say those things around me.

Something like that. I know I butchered it.
Its all about knowing how you feel. What you are willing to tolerate, and then enforcing your own healthy boundaries.

Then it is his choice what to do. If he values your friendship, he'll change. If not-- then the natural consequence is you don't hang out with him.

I suspect he's just learning who he is-- he's on his own path, and you can't do his work for him. Show him unconditional love, but stick up foryourself as well.