“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” (Proverbs 12:26, NKJV)
Friends are a funny thing. No two are alike. I have my book-loving friends. We share titles of books and names of authors we enjoy. My food-loving friends and I swap recipes or recommend favorite restaurants. My adventure-loving friends are eager to enjoy a new challenge. Then there’s my good advice friends who share wise words. Some are also my “I’m here whenever you need me” friends. I can call them anytime day or night.
Friends make this journey called life more enjoyable. Depending upon the person, they can encourage us to reach higher or they can drag us to places we should never go. An old saying goes, “Tell me who your friends are, and I will tell you who you are.”
The type of friends we choose is important. Proverbs 13:20 says it this way:
“He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” (NKJV)
If you are a parent, you want your child to develop the right kind of friends because of the influence those friends will have in their lives. Friends can have a major impact on how we think, feel, and behave. That’s why even as adults we must make wise choices in developing friendships.
In Philippians 2:25, Paul spoke of Epaphroditus as “a true brother, co-worker, and fellow soldier. And he was your messenger to help me in my need” (NLT). The two men obviously had a good relationship, worked well together, and were devoted to advancing the Lord’s work. Paul could count on Epaphroditus’s help when he needed him. We all need friends like this.
Some friendships, however, are not healthy. Proverbs 22:24 warns us:
“Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” (NLT)
In I Corinthians 5:11 Paul warns against associating with those who claim to be a follower of the Lord but whose lifestyle is sinful.
“I meant that you are not to associate with anyone who claims to be a believer yet indulges in sexual sin, or is greedy, or worships idols, or is abusive, or is a drunkard, or cheats people. Don’t even eat with such people.” (NLT)
We do not avoid close friendships with such people because we are superior to them or “holier” than they are. It is only through God’s grace that we have not followed a similar path. Instead, we must not only pray for them but also guard against any potential influence they might exert that would lead us to sin. First Corinthians 15:33 reminds us, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits’” (NKJV).
This world would be a lonely, difficult place without the support and love of good friends. It is not the quantity of our friendships as much as the quality of those friendships that counts. I often thank God for the wonderful people He has placed in my life. Their encouragement and support have helped me become a better person.
Have you thanked God recently for the godly friends He has given you? We need each other!
Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed.
If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.
Likewise, two people lying close together can keep each other warm. But how can one be warm alone?
A person standing alone can be attacked and defeated, but two can stand back-to-back and conquer. Three are even better, for a triple-braided cord is not easily broken.
(Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, NLT)
Dear Lord, thank You for the friends You have placed in my life who encourage me in discouraging times, stand by me and support me in troubled times, and counsel me in perplexing times. Most of all, thank You for being the greatest Friend that I will ever have.
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