Should he stay on a bad website to stay connected with friends?

Last updated on October 8, 2020

Question:

Hello,

I have a friend who needs some advice. Lately, he has been thinking about what to do. See, he recently told me that he joined a site for guys to talk about masturbation. On the site, guys tend to post pics of themselves naked and show off. He didn’t do these things, he just wanted to chat and get rid of some questions. But as he stayed on the site he let himself get swept up. He started sexting and other things. Recently he told me that was able to get closer to God, so he was able to realize what he was doing. He wants to leave the site but doesn’t want to leave some of the real friends he made there. So should he delete his account, or just leave it be and go on just to talk?

Answer:

But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them” (Ephesians 5:3-7).

While your friend realizes that he needs to change, the other people on this site have not. Remaining in contact with them will only pull him back into sin. “Do not be deceived: “Bad company corrupts good morals”” (I Corinthians 15:33). After all, it is how he got into this problem in the first place. While he may think he will only stay to talk with some people, the reality is that they will want to talk dirty. In addition, others will continue to try to become friends with him and send inappropriate pictures.

The only solution is to delete the account, block the site, and find good friends who will make him a better man.