The Bible tells us that we should be careful in choosing our friends. We must choose friends who fear God, love His word, and obey His commandments. When we choose the right friends, we will have for ourselves a Godly group of people who can help us pursue the Lord. Psalm 1:1-3 tells us,
"Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor stands in the path of sinners, nor sits in the seat of the scornful; But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and in His law he meditates day and night. He shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that brings forth its fruit in its season, whose leaf also shall not wither; And whatever he does shall prosper."
The Bible also warns us strongly about choosing the wrong friends, because they will inevitably influence us to think, say and do things that won't be pleasing to God. 1 Corinthians 15:33 tells us,
"Do not be deceived: "Evil company corrupts good habits.""
Knowing these things, we must understand that we are told to make friends with the God-fearing, and cut off ties with those who will only influence us to compromise and turn away from God.
Other reasons to cut ties
Friends, there are other reasons to cut ties. These reasons include staying in your personal moral boundaries; prioritizing your marriage and family; and needing to change priorities in life. These reasons are good, and there's nothing wrong with them.
When we cut wrong friendships off, we allow ourselves more freedom to do what God wants, especially in our more important relationships. We give ourselves fewer people to think about, fewer relationships to maintain and keep, and more time, energy and resources to give to our important relationships - our marriages and families.
That said, is it OK for us to cut ties with certain people in the church? Is it OK to cut ties with brothers and sisters in the church?
Yes, it is.
Cutting off ties with people in church
Many Christians think it's a sin to not befriend people in the church. While we are indeed instructed to love our brethren, we are still given the freedom and responsibility to choose who to allow in our lives.
Many of us don't realize it, but just because someone is Christian doesn't automatically mean that he or she fears God, follows Christ, and does what is right. There are many un-Christ-like people in the church, and the Bible is clear about that:
"For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, despisers of good, traitors, headstrong, haughty, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from such people turn away!"
Read that last line again. We need to turn away from people who carry, even brandish the name of Christ, but live like they haven't repented of their sin. We need to guard ourselves well.
