Charismatic Christians Twisting Scripture to Justify Their Enjoyment of Ungodly Friends

It is typical, especially for "charismatic Christians" to twist the Bible to justify their enjoyment of unbelievers. I speak to and love unbelievers as Christ loved them, but I do not enjoy their company in continual friendship.

1 Corinthians 2:14

"14 But a natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually discerned."

Christ spent time with sinners to call them to repentance, not to socialize with them.

Those who use the Bible to justify sin will say; "Jesus sat with sinners, to justify having ungodly friends. The truth is they enjoy their ungodly friends more than they enjoy the companionship of those who walk with Christ. Look at their constant companions and you will notice their friends have little interest in discussing the things of God. They speak of politics, adventures, and everything but God.

James 4:4-8

"4 You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

5 Or do you think that the Scripture says to no purpose, “He jealously desires the Spirit whom He has made to dwell in us”?

6 But He gives a greater grace. Therefore it says, “God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble.”

7 Submit therefore to God. But resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded."

Romans 12:2

"Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God.:

Our companions are evidence of our hearts. Those we spend the most time with are those we enjoy.

1 Corinthians 15:33 "Be not deceived: “Evil associations corrupt good manners.”

Those we choose for our close friends will either enhance our walk with Christ because they too love Him. Or they will discourage righteousness by their manipulations because they love the world and do not love Christ. We choose friends we can identify with on the same path.

1 Corinthians 5:6

"Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump?"

The group we choose for friends will expose our hearts and will determine our response to life.