These days there seem to be a lot of posts suggesting people kick those who are too negative, toxic, or otherwise unpleasant out of their lives. With the news all around us of people being reduced to harmful or life-threatening practices to cope with the struggles some people put on their lives, it is understandable that there would be a movement to remove those people instead of harming oneself to cope.

But as Christians, we must be especially careful with this mindset. An underlying assumption of it is that we are here to benefit only ourselves and not to serve others. Matthew 5:14-16 says, “You are the light of the world. A town built on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.” This means that we who have God’s light and love should not only be seeking to share it with those who also have this light, but with those in the dark.

If we are struggling with a relationship with someone, maybe God has placed us in their life to teach them something. Maybe He is trying to teach us something. Maybe we are to support them in their dark times, even if we don’t know what is causing it, or help them out of that place.

If the person in question is making it too difficult to focus on serving the Lord, or is tempting you to sin or otherwise hurting you, these are signs that God may be telling you to distance yourself from them. This is why we as Christians must stay in communication with God. He has the power to tell us whether it is best to distance ourselves from someone or to stay with them. If you are earnestly seeking to follow God, then whether you are sure about your decision or not God will be there to support you once you make it and will change it to follow His plan if necessary.

The main thing for Christians is that we keep in prayer and avoid kicking people we don’t like out of our lives just to make this life all about our own benefit. If we are to live for Christ, we must not refuse to be involved with the people He calls us towards in life.