Episode 010: Friends with the opposite sex

Can boys and girls be friends? The Bible says yes, but it's important to be wise about how we navigate these friendships due to the influence of sin. Biblical friendships between men and women should be based on treating each other like family members in Christ. This means having a brotherly/sisterly kind of love, not a romantic one. The Bible uses examples like Timothy, who was instructed to treat younger women as sisters, to show that this kind of friendship is possible. Jesus himself also interacted with women in a friendly way, even those with troubled pasts. However, same-sex friendships are important too. If you can't have healthy friendships with people of your own gender, it will likely be difficult to have healthy friendships with the opposite. Four tips for building healthy friendships with those of the opposite sex: Make sure your friendships with your own sex are strong first. Be clear about your expectations in the friendship. Live out your friendship primarily in the context of a larger community rather than one-on-one Trust God's guidance instead of relying on strict rules.