Photo by Omar Lopez on Unsplash
By Mike Chaffin
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. Proverbs 12:26
Friendship is one of the greatest virtues to help us navigate life. The Bible warns us to choose them carefully. Psalms 1 and Proverbs chapters 1-4 relate the negatives of having the wrong kinds of friends. James compared friendships that lead us astray with loving the ways of the world.
You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God. James 4:4
However, good friends are necessary. We need friends to come alongside us in times of need. They help cure loneliness, bring companionship and hopefully great advice when we need it. They are there for us. Great friends are there in times of trouble. When family is far away, we are instructed to seek out friends for help instead of family. A close friend is like a brother or sister.
A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17
Friendships are cultivated. We must put in the effort to find and keep great friends. We need friends on whom we can rely. But the benefits of friendship are massive.
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24
Friends lower stress, raise self-esteem, and help break unhealthy habits. They also can give us a sense of worth.
Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. John 15:13
Do I have a friend that would do that for me? Would I do that for someone else? I do have a friend like that. His name is Jesus and He died for me. He died for you, too. He is a friend, and He sticks closer than a brother. He let his disciples know, and they, having given us much of Jesus’ teachings, allow us to share His friendship.
I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you. John 15:15
We must cultivate friendships with people who can surround us with healthy support and love. We also must cultivate the friendship we have with Jesus. He is not only our LORD and Savior, but we can also call him friend. As His friend we are to do for Him what He asks us to do.
You are my friends if you do what I command. John 15:14
The question we all must ask ourselves is how close a friend do we have in Jesus? The answer is in how often we talk with Him and find out what He commands.
Prayer: Dear Lord, help me to cultivate friendships. Help me to be a good friend, willing to share with them your love. Help me to grow in my relationship with you. In Jesus’ name, amen.