Warning friends about hell

  • Thread starter Thread starter jesusalright4me
  • Start date Start date
Status
Not open for further replies.
J

jesusalright4me

Guest
Hey all! A question: have you ever warned friends about the sinfulness of their activities, and your fear that they may not get to heaven and be separated forever from God in hell? It sounds rather fire and brimstone like, but I have a friend who I have told this, out of complete charity and concern for his soul.
 
Perhaps by offering remedies you can show that you can really care. If they have a bad influence on you it might be good to separate.
 
Last edited:
I think that best reserved for an elder person to say that or a parent. Depending on the relationship it would be fine. To be honest, if a friend talked to me like that I’d be upset even if they were right. I guess some people need serious rebukes to get it. They may respond by telling you that you are self righteous person. I guess if you don’t care if they are going to cut off the relationship
 
Last edited:
jesusalright4me said:
Hey all! A question: have you ever warned friends about the sinfulness of their activities, and your fear that they may not get to heaven and be separated forever from God in hell? It sounds rather fire and brimstone like, but I have a friend who I have told this, out of complete charity and concern for his soul.
Click to expand...
I have before…one very close life long friend no longer speaks with me…

If they are so embroiled in their sin or their heart is so hardened expect a less than cordial reply for your concern. So do not expect them to be ever so grateful for your concern over their mortal soul.

That doesn’t mean that seed you planted may not germinate and come to bear fruit later…your faithfulness may be what God needed for them to hear at that time…
 
Last edited:
With friends, make sure you have a good relationship with them, and you can casually bring it up and ask if they even believe in hell. Most people today don’t believe in hell.
 
Last edited:
Why would you think it’s fine to suggest your friend could be headed to hell? Probably the last thing I’d want to hear from a friend. You said you were close. It could easily come off as judgmental honestly. I would be careful with that one.
 
Isn’t that better reserved for family, a priest or someone much older? Idk how people can tell their friends such things. I understand the concern though. Idk I’m not the most believing person when it comes to tough love.

I just think telling someone they’re going to hell is strong.
Idk I’m sure others would feel differently. Maybe that depends on how called by God you feel.
 
Last edited:
Its a tough one and all depends on the friendship. Ask the Holy Spirits help to speak.
 
Jump4Joy said:
Why would you think it’s fine to suggest your friend could be headed to hell? Probably the last thing I’d want to hear from a friend. You said you were close. It could easily come off as judgmental honestly. I would be careful with that one.
Click to expand...
You mean it might come off as judgmental?

Sort of like your response?
 
I have done this before. I still do from time to time but I don’t always mention the possibility of Hell when I admonish someone. Admonishing people who are doing something immoral is a spiritual work of mercy. I always try to do it in a spirit of gentleness and humility though. I sin just as much as everyone else, if not more.
 
It is a spiritual question. Some would say why spare words if it could spare him hell?
I think things like this should be prayed about. There should be a clear sincere reason.
 
How serious do you think an issue has to be to mention the possibility of hell?

My friend’s mother used to mention that whenever he disobeyed. Lol

Do you think their receptiveness or response matters?

I can only imagine the risk of stirring up an extreme reaction or being perceived as judgmental.
 
It is such situational conversation…nobody knows what context it is in.
My friend and I were very close, had spoken about religion and hell before, had for years and years. Since 1981 in Catholic high school
We were both raised Catholic, he left the church and is heavily involved with self destructive behavior and addiction. Tearing his family apart and irrevocably damaging his health…endangering innocent people every time he gets behind the wheel…there is a time for honest direct conversation with consequences…his visceral reaction was understandable. He knows I love him and said it out of love, he just simply did not want to hear it…he knows the truth but has fashioned his own version of God and his belief he can don what ever he wishes and it will all be ok, he believes he has time…

He knows he can pick up the phone and I would be right there…I know he is one fix away from facing what may be an eternity in a pretty nasty place…

Your mileage may vary…
 
The only possible reason that I can think of for why someone would want to do that is the real possibility that it might be true. And if you’re wrong… Nyeh, no harm done.
 
The problem is, I really do not think his family holds him to a higher standard on the issue whatsoever. He also does not go to mass, which I do invite him too often. So there is no way a priest will rebuke him. Honestly, I am probably the only Catholic in his life who constantly holds him to a higher standard. And as his best friend, I think and hope that my words carry some weight. I see him open to Truth, and I think he does want to know Christ’s love based on conversations we have had in the past.
 
See, the thing is, every time I say it, he actually thanks me for my concern. It is also worth mentioning that I always mix in the conditions for a true mortal sin in there (knowledge and consent of the will). I often say I do not know 100% where he is at in these regards. But nevertheless, I warn him of the gravity of certain acts.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Back
Top