Friendships with Unbelievers: What Does the Bible Say?

Introduction: Can Christians Be Friends with Non-Believers?

Friendship is a beautiful gift from God. We all need companionship, support, and people to share life with. But what happens when your closest friends don’t share your faith? Can you be a follower of Christ and still have strong friendships with unbelievers? The Bible gives us guidance on how to navigate these relationships with wisdom and love.

Let’s be honest—some of us have that one friend who thinks Jesus is just a fairy tale and church is a free concert with a long speech at the end. Do we run for the hills? Unfriend them on social media? Or is there a way to maintain that friendship without losing our faith (or our sanity)?

1. Jesus Was a Friend to Sinners

One of the most common examples of friendship in the Bible is Jesus Himself. He spent time with tax collectors, sinners, and outcasts (Luke 5:30-32). He didn’t avoid people who were far from God; instead, He brought the truth to them with love and compassion.

However, there’s a key difference—Jesus influenced them, not the other way around. As Christians, we should be careful to ensure that our friendships with unbelievers are opportunities to reflect Christ rather than allowing them to pull us away from our faith. If you start skipping church to binge-watch Netflix with your atheist bestie, it might be time for a heart check.

2. The Danger of Being Unequally Yoked

2 Corinthians 6:14 warns us,

"Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?"

This doesn’t mean we should cut off all friendships with non-believers, but it does mean we should be mindful of who has the greatest influence in our lives. Are we being led closer to God, or are we being pulled into compromise? If every conversation with your friend turns into a debate about why they think God doesn’t exist, you might need to reevaluate how that relationship is affecting you.

3. What If Your Friend Is Dead Set Against Christ?

Now, let’s talk about the tough cases—the friends who aren’t just indifferent to your faith but are openly hostile to it. The ones who roll their eyes every time you say you’re praying for them. The ones who take joy in poking fun at your beliefs like it’s their personal mission. Should you still be friends with them?

The short answer? It depends. Jesus tells us to love everyone, including our enemies (Matthew 5:44), but that doesn’t mean we should willingly place ourselves in relationships that are constantly toxic or draining. If your friend mocks your faith, disrespects your values, and discourages your walk with God, then it may be time to set some boundaries. You don’t have to cut them off entirely, but you also don’t have to subject yourself to spiritual bullying.

On the flip side, if you sense that they’re simply lost and searching—even if they put up a tough front—God may be calling you to be a light in their life. Pray for them. Lead by example. Be patient. But remember, you’re called to be salt and light, not a doormat.

4. Guarding Your Heart and Walk with God

Proverbs 13:20 states,

"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." 

The people you spend the most time with will shape your thinking, your habits, and your character. If your closest friendships constantly lead you into sin, doubt, or distractions from your walk with God, it may be time to set boundaries.

At the same time, we are called to be a light in the world (Matthew 5:16). This means being intentional about showing Christ’s love in our friendships without compromising our faith. You don’t have to become a hermit just to avoid bad influences—but you do have to be discerning about who has a voice in your life.

5. How to Be a Godly Influence in Your Friendships

• Live out your faith – People should see the love of Christ in the way you treat others, speak, and make decisions (1 Peter 2:12).

  
  

• Stand firm in your beliefs – Don’t feel pressured to conform to the world’s standards just to fit in (Romans 12:2).

  
  

• Pray for your friends – The best thing you can do for an unbelieving friend is to intercede for them and ask God to open their heart (1 Timothy 2:1-4).

  
  

• Share the gospel when the opportunity arises – Let God use you to plant seeds of faith in their life (Colossians 4:5-6).

  
  

• Know when to step back – If a friendship is pulling you away from God rather than pushing you closer to Him, it’s okay to love from a distance.

  
  

Conclusion: Love Without Compromise

Being a Christian doesn’t mean isolating yourself from unbelievers. Jesus calls us to be in the world but not of it (John 17:15-16). The key is to love people without compromising your relationship with God. Let your friendships be an opportunity to share the light of Christ while ensuring that your closest relationships help you grow in your faith.

And if all else fails—if your friend is determined to drag you down and refuses to respect your faith—just remember, even Jesus shook the dust off His feet when people rejected Him (Matthew 10:14). Sometimes, the best witness is knowing when to let go and keep praying from afar.

Closing Prayer:

Heavenly Father, thank You for the friendships in our lives. Help us to be wise in choosing our closest companions while also being a light to those who do not yet know You. Give us the strength to stand firm in our faith and the love to reach out to those who need You. May our lives reflect Your truth and grace in every relationship we have. In Jesus’ name, Amen.