What types of relationships are best to avoid? - Relationships - TouchPoints

What types of relationships are best to avoid?

Exodus 23:33“They [ungodly people] must not live in your land, or they will cause you to sin against me. If you serve their gods, you will be caught in the trap of idolatry.”

Ezra 4:1-3The enemies of Judah and Benjamin heard that the exiles were rebuilding a Temple to the Lord, the God of Israel. So they approached Zerubbabel and the other leaders and said, “Let us build with you, for we worship your God just as you do. We have sacrificed to him ever since King Esarhaddon of Assyria brought us here.” But Zerubbabel, Jeshua, and the other leaders of Israel replied, “You may have no part in this work. We alone will build the Temple for the Lord, the God of Israel, just as King Cyrus of Persia commanded us.”

Romans 12:2Don’t copy the behavior and customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect.

2 Corinthians 6:14-15Don’t team up with those who are unbelievers. How can righteousness be a partner with wickedness? How can light live with darkness? What harmony can there be between Christ and the devil? How can a believer be a partner with an unbeliever?

God warns against partnerships where one person loves God and the other doesn’t. These partnerships can include marriage, close friendships, and business and political relationships. The potential lack of unity in the relationship and temptation to compromise one’s faithfulness to God are dangers that should be avoided if possible. (But those already in a partnership or marriage where one of is a believer and one is not should not try to dissolve the relationship.) God also warns against relationships with those who will try to get us to compromise or give up our faith. God does not tell us to avoid friendships with unbelievers; he wants us to be a light to the world. But he does want us to be very careful about binding relationships with those who show animosity toward God.