I am going to make a statement that may offend you. For a follower of Jesus, people, including other Christians, who encourage us to think, speak and act in ways that are contrary to Jesus’ teaching and example are not our friends. They may be charming and pleasant. They may be fun to be around. They may show us acceptance and sympathy. But they are not our friends.
I am not talking about people who do not share our beliefs and who have beliefs of their own. One can have different beliefs from us and respect our beliefs.
I am talking about those who encourage us to go against Jesus’ teaching and example.
Their age, their education, their social status, their background, their gender, their sexual orientation, their race, their ethnicity, their political views, their tastes in music, their interests;nd their pastimes do not matter. They are not our friends.
They do not accept an important part of us, an important part of who we are, an important part of our self. While we should treat them lovingly as Jesus taught us, we should be mindful that they may not have our best interests at heart. .
Jesus taught us to be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves in our dealings with other people. In John’s Gospel we read—
“While he was in Jerusalem at Passover-time, during the festivities many believed in him as they saw the signs that he gave. But Jesus, on his side, did not trust himself to them—for he knew them all. He did not need anyone to tell him what people were like: he understood human nature.” (John 2:24-25 PHILLIPS)
Jesus knew that everyone who sought him out did not do so from the best of intentions. Some wished to trick him; others to exploit him. One would betray him. While Jesus taught us to be loving, he did not teach us to be naïve.
In my lifetime I have seen enough young people and old people gamed by people whom they thought were their friends. Those whom they thought were friends were deceiving them in order to manipulate them or to achieve some desired outcome. Those whom they thought were friends were playing to their vulnerabilities such as a desire for approval from ulterior motives.
For a follower of Jesus any kind of encouragement to go against Jesus’ teaching and example is a flashing red light, a red flag, a clanging alarm bell. It is a tip-off that whoever is encouraging us to think, speak, or act in a way contrary to what Jesus taught and practices does not genuinely accept us. It is a warning that we need to be on our guard.
They do not accept an important part of us, an important part of who we are, an important part of our self. While we should treat them lovingly as Jesus taught us, we should be mindful that they may not have our best interests at heart. .
Jesus taught us to be as wise as serpents and gentle as doves in our dealings with other people. In John’s Gospel we read—
“While he was in Jerusalem at Passover-time, during the festivities many believed in him as they saw the signs that he gave. But Jesus, on his side, did not trust himself to them—for he knew them all. He did not need anyone to tell him what people were like: he understood human nature.” (John 2:24-25 PHILLIPS)
Jesus knew that everyone who sought him out did not do so from the best of intentions. Some wished to trick him; others to exploit him. One would betray him. While Jesus taught us to be loving, he did not teach us to be naïve.
In my lifetime I have seen enough young people and old people gamed by people whom they thought were their friends. Those whom they thought were friends were deceiving them in order to manipulate them or to achieve some desired outcome. Those whom they thought were friends were playing to their vulnerabilities such as a desire for approval from ulterior motives.
For a follower of Jesus any kind of encouragement to go against Jesus’ teaching and example is a flashing red light, a red flag, a clanging alarm bell. It is a tip-off that whoever is encouraging us to think, speak, or act in a way contrary to what Jesus taught and practices does not genuinely accept us. It is a warning that we need to be on our guard.
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