Real Christianity Series

Dangerous Relationships

What makes us live in such a way that causes people to question the reality of our own faith?  One of the reasons is the kind of relationships that we keep.  Jesus was known by the company He kept. He ate and drank with people other religious leaders wouldn’t think of associating with. But Jesus did not eat and drink with such people because He was attracted to their way of life. He did it to be the best friend a sinner ever had. With the wrong motives, the relationships He cultivated would have been dangerous. Without His strong and loving purposes, the accusation that He was a “friend of sinners” would have been more damaging. His own apostle Paul would later write, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits.’ Awake to righteousness, and do not sin” (1 Corinthians 15:33-34). Even the wise King Solomon paid dearly for such forbidden relationships (1 Kings 11:1-13). The resulting confusion caused him to act like someone who had never known God (Ecclesiastes 1-12). In today’s society, a person is often known by the company he keeps or the friendships he has. How are you best known? Who are your closest friends? What are the different levels of friendship? Should we seek to develop friendships at all levels or be more restrictive?
According to 1 Corinthians 15:33-34, building relationships at certain levels is “sin.” What level would you consider “sin” in your life?
How do our relationships indicate our level of spiritual maturity? Does it change during various periods of our lives? If so, how does it change? What is the relationship between faith and works in James 2:14-17? How is your faith demonstrated in your daily life?
How would you define and explain the word “believe” in James 2:18-24? What are the differences between the faith that demons have and the faith that Christians practice?
In James 2:25-26, the Bible says “faith without works is dead also.” What does this mean? Have you experienced this in your life? Contemplate the meaning of 1 Corinthians 6:9-11. How would you describe yourself before you became a Christian? How have you changed your relationships since then?
After David sinned with Bathsheba, he repented of his sin. You can read about it in Psalm 51:1-3. What do you need to confess to God? How does God want to clean up your relationships? Think about relationships you are experiencing that are making you strong. How does God want to use them to make you stronger? Think about relationships that are weakening you. How does God want you to change them? 1 Corinthians 15:33-34
2 Corinthians 6:14-18
Galatians 6:7-8