How can you tell the difference between a healthy and unhealthy friendship? Unlike the ingrown friendship model of the world, friendship for Jesus looks outside itself to find its purpose. Like everything else, the purpose of our friendships should center on Him. We cannot glorify God alone, we cannot live for His glory alone. We need each other!
Read MoreThis sinful idolatry may even appear godly at first. Two co-dependent friends may pray together, talk about Jesus a lot, and be extremely supportive of one another. The spiritual conversation and activity of the friendship may give a false sense that nothing is wrong. But it matters little how much we talk about Jesus or do things for Jesus if our hope and trust isn't in Him alone. Here are 15 questions to help you diagnose if idolatry is present in your friendship.
Read MoreMost Christians assume friendship could never be sinful, especially same-gender friendships. This is the reason some walk into idolatry blindly: they have a false sense of security. But idolatry is no respecter of gender. Anything that takes God’s place in your heart is an idol, even your closest girl friend. A best friend can become a god, a functional savior who rescues you from all the hardships of life, and very few will call it sin. This is why idolatry in friendship is dangerously deceptive: it has become culturally acceptable to need your friend more than you need God.
Read MoreThis is the story of a friendship gone wrong. Somewhere along the way, Sarah and Kelsey began to look to one another for things only God should give: worth, purpose, belonging, and security. This is the story of an unhealthy friendship infected with idolatry.
Read MoreAnd the Pharisees and the scribes grumbled, saying, "This man receives sinners and eats with them." Luke 15:2
Tonight, we will turn our porch lights on, set out a sign, and be handing out king sized candy bars to hundreds of kids, moms, dads, and teens. Some will grumble that we receive sinners. But they said this of Jesus too.
Read MoreCultivating humility begins with an accurate view of our Holy God and understanding that the only thing we deserve is wrath. But without the element of faith, you will stop short of true humility.
Read MoreWe must deal with this truth: God loves humble people. What does it mean to be humble? It is defined as a modest or low view of one’s own importance. How do we grow in humility? By having a clear view of God.
Read MoreBecause pride infects the motives, even the most spiritual actions, like praying, giving and serving, can be rooted entirely in arrogance and self-love. So how can we spot an unseen enemy? Let me offer one litmus test for pride: entitlement.
Read MorePride—a desire to exalt oneself—is like an iceberg. It exists in the unseen realm of the heart and has many facets. Unlike the sins of adultery or addiction, pride cannot easily be spotted above the surface through actions. Because it infects the motives, any action, good or bad, can be contaminated with pride.
Read MoreChronicling your life is not the only function a journal can serve; those blank pages can be used in so many other ways! I'd like to share some pages from my own journals in the hope that it will get the creative juices flowing as you consider what it could look like for you to engage with God and seek Him with all your heart.
Read More![[Friendship Gone Wrong] What's the Purpose?](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51fbf1e5e4b0a9dce7926cdb/1483646949057-O4YXK1ZQXAG1X79QGG16/PURPOSE.png)
![[Friendship Gone Wrong] 15 Questions to Diagnose Idolatry](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51fbf1e5e4b0a9dce7926cdb/1496752898323-4AI9USIPHLZ95HIPJ9GD/SYMPTOMS+OF+IDOLATRY.jpg)
![[Friendship Gone Wrong] No Safe Zones](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51fbf1e5e4b0a9dce7926cdb/1483647570047-BZFZ34IIUUBR3FWRLJKB/safe+zones.png)
![[Friendship Gone Wrong] A Tale of Two Friends](https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/51fbf1e5e4b0a9dce7926cdb/1483647550039-XEI2HHGO0HJN1R4DC313/two+friends.png)
