Question:
Answer:
Cutting ties with a friend is a heart breaking decision but sometimes it is the right decision.
There is no formula that we can just plug things into to determine whether it is the right decision or not. It is a personal prudential judgment. However, even when cutting ties with a friend we do need to always keep the door open for possible future forgiveness and reconciliation.
If someone in our lives is causing us anxiety, stress, depression, etc. due to their unjust or immoral actions we have the right to protect our emotional and psychological well being from their actions. Our aim should not be to punish or “even the score” but rather should be our own well being as well as the other person’s.
As human being we each are limited to various extents. Someone who abuses our limitations is not treating us with respect, love, or friendship. There is nothing in Scripture that requires us to remain friends with people who treat us like dirt. Scripture does command us to treat them justly and lovingly but does not require us to keep them into our personal lives.
Generally speaking we should be open and honest with friends. If they are doing something unjust or unkind we should let them know that is how we perceive those actions. If the person refuses to change we should let them know how we view friendships and that they are not fulfilling our understanding of how friends treat each other. If they still persist then it is they who have in fact chosen to force us to cut ties with them. Should the person change and wish to re-establish contact then we should be open to beginning again in the friendship.