When someone is doing something wrong...

“What am I supposed to do when I see a friend doing something wrong? Do I immediately condemn the person, remain silent and hope it changes, or just pull away?”—Kate

Your first concern is for the well-being of your friend. True friendship (what the Bible calls “love”, Prov. 17:17) has the best interest of the friend at heart. Your question reveals you care—allow that genuine care to shape your reaction.

Be sure the action you are seeing is actually wrong (i.e., hurtful, illegal, destructive, etc.) and not merely a disagreement between you. If it is a difference of opinion, then you will simply look for the opportunity to discuss it and resolve it (Rom. 12:18) or just let it be. If, on the other hand, it is damaging to your friend or against the law or if it is tearing down other people, then you must address the issue.

The Bible gives some guidance in this regard:
Don’t abandon your friend. You may not be able to rescue or “fix” him (indeed, you are not ultimately responsible for the decisions your friend makes), but you also don’t want to simply pull away without a word (see Prov. 18:24).

If possible, find the right time and place to address the issue with him. If the issue is bigger than you and he can work through alone, involve other wise, mature and responsible people (Matt. 18:15-17).

Be careful about being prideful or condescending. These attitudes are not helpful and belie the fact that none of is without sin! Sadness over wrongdoing, clinging to what is best, encouraging repentance and restitution—these are right and constructive responses (Rom. 12:9-21).

What you hope and pray for are ultimately restoration to a right relationship with God and a right relationship with others (Gal. 6:1-10). Don’t give up on doing what is right!

Why Study the Bible?

“You talk about the Bible all the time. What are some good reasons why I should actually read it?”—Bill
The a priori supposition of this column is that the Bible has something to say that is of value to your life. Though we cannot, in the brief space allowed here, do justice to the arguments for the veracity and validity of Scripture, we may certainly identify a few of the important reasons why you should read it!

First, you will gain a clearer understanding about a book that has played a significant role in the history of western civilization. You cannot read very far in most classic literature or research the development of our culture without finding references to Scripture or the truths it proclaims.

The Book explores the big questions: “Who am I? What is my purpose? Where am I going?” There are other books that purport to reveal your life’s purpose. This one, however, has been around the longest and proven its staying power and reliability.

Fundamentally, the Bible introduces you to God. It attributes a Name, personal character and volition to the Spirit you’ve always suspected was there somewhere. Along the way, you will begin to discover your story in God’s big story.

Your interaction with the Bible will help you clarify what you believe. You may more often than not find yourself wrestling with what it says. The claims of Scripture will bring into question your assumptions, conclusions, traditions and biases, preventing you from getting too comfortable or arrogant! Genuine, honest dialogue with Scripture will demand that you make some decisions about the place of faith in your life.

Finally, even a casual reading of the Bible will offer you words of comfort, hope and spiritual renewal that have their source in the living God.