The bible talks about how we must stay away from unbelievers, those who are foolish, and those who are wicked right? I think there is a misconception that we should only be around good Christians and those who are evil we are just supposed to forget about and stay away from. Honestly that is what I think sometimes.
That isn't what God wants. If we only spent time around Christians how would we ever help increase the kingdom of heaven?
We have the ability to increase the kingdom of heaven when we come into contact with unbelievers.
"But among you there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed, because these are improper for God's holy people. Nor should there be obscenity, foolish talk or cause joking, which are out of place, but rather thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:3-4)
Obscenity and coarse joking are so common that we begin to take them for granted. Paul writes to us that improper language should have no place in the Christian's conversation because it does not reflect God's gracious presence is us.
This is taught sometimes because we are unaware of the level of conversations that we are actually having. Now certain conversations honestly make me cringe. I am not trying to be crazy by saying that, but being around talk that isn't pleasing to God is just not for me.
How can we ever remind others of God's goodness when we are speaking in such a way?
We need to remember that we are never forbidden to have contact with unbelievers. Jesus taught his followers to befriend sinners and lead them to him. Paul writes against the lifestyle of people who live in such a way that is not honoring to God. We can be around those people, as long as we are not giving into the things that they are saying and doing.
That's easier said than done. When I make the decision that I was going to restrain myself from saying certain things, it took time. As disciplined as I am, it took me a little while to be okay with just being myself!
With all of this, we have an amazing opportunity at hand. That opportunity is to make the most of every opportunity.
"Be very careful, then, how you live - not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil." (Ephesians 5:15-16)
We must have a sense of urgency in the way that we live and make decisions because the days are evil. When we don't have a sense of urgency it's easy to become consumed by the world. I challenge you to have a sense of urgency to be different, encourage those who don't believe, and to not cross enemy lines.
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