Posted on 01/05/2010 9:46:40 AM PST by YaZhynka
Is there a time for you, as a Christian, to tell somebody that you will no longer have anything to do with them? And, if so, how do you do that in a Christlike manner?
(Excerpt) Read more at bipolarman.org ...
It depends
how psychotic are they?
or are you looking for drama?
I had to tell my bipolar husband that very thing way back when. He’d cheated, so there was no Biblical issues.
I prayed about it and I went to scripture. There, I found the following verses:
“Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.” (Proverbs 23:9)
“Do not answer fools according to their folly, or you yourself will become like them.” (Proverbs 26:4)
“Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good character.”
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Very good advice. I thought of these verses also:
Matthew 10:14
If anyone will not welcome you or listen to your words, shake the dust off your feet when you leave that home or town.
Mark 6:11
And if any place will not welcome you or listen to you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave, as a testimony against them.”
Luke 9:5
If people do not welcome you, shake the dust off your feet when you leave their town, as a testimony against them.”
This was a good read. I liked your additional quotes. I have been going through the same thing the author mentions with a good friend who has become very irational and crazy lately so I feel I have to break it off to avoid this “poison and negative” outlook on life.
It is good when they leave town. :)
I certainly can understand cutting out a bipolar husband who has cheated. God does not call to continually accept abuse. I have bipolar and I am single, but I know that marriage is difficult to begin with and bipolar would undoubtedly make it an even greater challenge. I have a chpater in my book, Blessed with Bipolar, about being single and what it might take to have a successful bipolar marriage.
Thanks for the additional verses. I had not thought of those. “Iron sharpening iron.”
I also think that “breaking it off” can sometimes provide the conviction necessary for the other person to consider making some changes. It sounds like you have already tried to resolve things with this person who has become irrational.
That is a tough situation but I believe you did the right
thing in telling him there was a problem and what it was.
If he is a Christian, then he knows in his heart that he is wrong in his actions, and not Christ like.
Have been going through the same thing with a neighbor for years now. Even considered moving to get as far away as possible from him. I too worried about my Christian duty, but when the connection starts to affect the state of your soul, it is time to end the acquaintance. I could not do more than recommend counseling, medication, church attendance, and receiving absolution from someone with the authority to give it to him. When mental health is at issue, the person needing help must want the help for the help to do any good.
It takes absolute commitment and understanding on the part of the non bipolar partner. And it takes strong family ties and aid, and a good, supporting church.
On the part of bipolar partner, it takes their best effort to conform with good medical advice and do right, especially not to cause legal problems.
Been there, done that. I had a marraige with a severely ill bipolar man of 25 years, ending only with death. I had to make many sacrifices, but I treasure my husband’s memory. And believe me, I had many, many people tell me to get a divorce, including authorities. In the end, God rewarded my seeking after His will.
In the end, the answer to all things is real, Godcentered love.
With my ex, I went with Matthew 7:6
Young people have more “friends” than old people.
Old people are more discriminating.
My discriminating old person is 72, has children older than I and has said and done things that made me research the stalking law in my state. A conviction under that law would have brought a year’s worth of relief from his unwanted, discriminating, good tastes.
I have had this issue with a long term friend (since we were kids) and “adopted” brother (He calls my mother “mom”). He is gay, has become increasingly liberal the last few years (he used to be Republican), and has now decided his is an Atheist.
Every time I pray about how to cut him out of my life, I feel led to keep him in my life to show him a good Christian witness (I am his only Christian friend). I have distanced myself from him but don’t feel led to cut him off completely.
I had to end a friendship with a cousin. She claimed Christianity but walked out on marriage counseling. Her husband [6th] was willing to continue counseling to heal the marriage [his 5th]. He was willing to change, she refused.
Saw her a few months later and she said that I hurt her feelings. That was when I realized she was a Democrat.
Better to argue with a rock than a Democrat.
(with apologies to Paul Simon)
When God leads you to keep a difficult person in your life, then you have every reason to expect that God will provide the sufficient grace.
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