O h , wasn ’ t that a nice party!” Elaine breathed ecstatically to her husband, John, after they had seen the last of their Christian friends to the door and began to straighten up their attractive living room. It had been a good evening. They had enjoyed a pot-luck dinner, then played charades, sang songs around the piano, and finally, after talk of vacations, current events, and the possibility of the Dodgers’ winning the pennant, they expressed their deeper thoughts, feelings, and ex periences relating to the Lord Jesus Christ whom Elaine and John loved. Several had brought friends who were either non-believers or had but a shallow experience of the Christian walk. It had been exciting to watch their faces and to hear their interested questions and comments as they participated in the conversation. John said, “Yes, it was a wonderful evening . . . so different from the ones we used to have when we ‘partied’ with worldly friends. This evening has brought us even closer together whereas before we almost lost each other.” He drew her close to him, and continued, “ God bless Pastor Smith for helping us realize that much of our difficulty was the friends we were spending our time with.” “Yes,”# responded Elaine happily. “We really got caught short, didn’t we? Thinking we could influence our friends for Christ by entering into their activities, we found that they influenced us instead and we got farther and farther away from Jesus. It’s so much better this way: to engage in social activities with our Christian friends and then bring those of our old crowd who will come, as well as non-Christian acquaintances, into a Christian atmosphere.” She sighed contentedly as she rested her head on John’s shoulder. “ True,” agreed John, kissing the tip of her ear. “ Now off to bed. We want to feel fresh for the Lord’s day!” And off they went, arm-in-arm, feeling closer to the Lord because of having seen Him more clearly through their friends’ fellowship and sharing, and be cause of having witnessed to His grace that night. Only a year before this couple had been perilously close to divorce. The friends with whom they associated were of their old crowd prior to their conversion. Their motivation was right — to witness for Christ — but their method was ineffective and actually achieved the opposite effect. Their friends drank, and although they didn’t, they were influenced by the atmosphere as well as by their friends’ thought patterns. Sometimes there were difficulties and unpleasant scenes between couples and marriage partners. They heard complaints and criticisms of the spouse. They began to look at one another through critical eyes. Once a pretty girl had come up to John and insisted on his dancing with her. In order not to cause a scene, he did so, and she skillfully guided them into a secluded spot and there Elaine had found them kissing. She had been unable to accept his version of the episode and threatened divorce. Fortunately, how ever, John insisted on professional counselling, and they called on their pastor. Yes, it is important to associate with like-minded friends. Research indicates that a large percentage of those who have difficulties in their marriage are socializ ing with people whose influence tends to be harmful. We become like those with whom we associate. The Bible is the Christian’s textbook for living, and it clearly states, “ Come out from among them and be ye separate, saith the Lord . . (2 Cor. 6:17a), and “ Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbeliev ers . . (2 Cor. 6:14a). A yoke is something that ties you together. Friendship is one of the strongest ties of all.
by Jeannette Aerea Consulting Psychologist and Marriage Counselor
SEPTEMBER, 1963
19
Made with FlippingBook - Online Brochure Maker