Reproof

In today's culture it isn't cool to be dogmatic about anything except humanism. Part of the reason being that being a god to oneself is not a hard message to an already selfish person. 

However, if you are going to be a friend to someone you are going to reprove them at some point. People are not perfect, and because of that, at some point your friend is going to do something sinful. That's why as a good friend you have to ultimately be okay with reproving them, because you love them. One of the hardest things to do is when you see sin in your friend's life having the love to be willing to tell them to quit and work with them through their sin. But here are three things you don't do. 

Number one, you don't come by one time and tell them to quit and then leave. No. You have to stay involved. Sin is incredibly hard to deal with because our flesh loves it. It will be a battle and most of a time a long campaign that will last your entire life. 

The second thing you don't do is avoid saying anything. Why would you not address it if you truly love them? (Well one reason, but we'll get there.) Don't you fear for their souls? Don't you love them enough to see them loving God and the others in their life more? Don't you want to see them repenting before God more? 

Of course it takes wisdom, and relationships drive specificity. But the point is, when you do have a good relationship, why don't you minister to them?

Finally, don't go around reproving people when you have your own secret unrepentant sins you are dealing with. Of course, we will always be sinners, that won't change. But get that log out of your own eye before you go after the speck in your friend's eye.