I sometimes spend time with friends not for bible study but for counseling. But before I mislead your thoughts-- am not a psychiatrist or a professional/ guidance counselor. I am just an ordinary person- probably gifted by God to listen to others and be compassionate of their experiences. I'm not saying I've a big heart for it but friends just send me text message and ask me to spend time with them and listen to their angst in life. I don't pretend that I know it all, although when asked for advice, I always bring them back with the Word of God.
And this is where the tight spot comes in. First, when we don't practice what we preached. How can we direct people to behave according to what God says when often than not our friends (and other people too) can't reconcile what we are saying from what we are actually doing? It's absurd right? So this is what we have to guard, as Christians, we should walk our talk. Let's be cautious of our actions so that when fellow brethren fell off track, we can bring them up back to God.
Second (and actually the last), this is the difficult part for me every time I talk to friends who need spiritual guidance, when we used God's word to enlighten them. It's really hard truth. I know (as far as I’m concern) I am not harsh to them, didn’t condemn them when they confessed grievous act/s. But my point here is, the moment I showed them the Word of God, I always caught their reaction as if they guzzled a big mass of bread, with eyes with open. I can’t just laugh at the seemingly funny face they made coz it ain’t actually funny for them. I know deep in their heart they had been stricken by lightning. But that’s what God says, I can’t sugarcoat the TRUTH so that my friends will taste the sweet glaze then eventually savor the sharp tang which truly left an imprint in our hearts. In 2 Tim 3:16, it says “ All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living.” Hebrews 4:12 says, “For the word of God is living and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.”
How I wish there’s an easy way of delivering the truth but I am not in the liberty of changing God’s Word just to make my friends comfortable and take things not "for granted" but mildly. However to make them feel that I’m not abandoning them as friends, I would lovingly ask if they want to hear the truth or want me only to say what they want to hear for themselves. Without their consent, I wouldn’t poke the Word of God into their faces as if it’s a paracetamol from the medicine cabinet. But believe it or not the counseling always ends at how i prayed it should-- that they will surrender their rights and truly listen to God's Word.
