August 26 | What Kind of Friends Should I Have?

Series | The Purpose Filled Life

Scripture | Proverbs 18:24, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”

Lesson 26 | What Kind of Friends Should I Have?

You should choose godly friends that truly love you and are reliable.  The Bible warns that choosing the wrong kind of friends can lead to trouble.  Proverbs 13:20 states, “a companion of fools suffers harm” and 1 Corinthians 15:33 reads, “Bad company corrupts good character.”  Therefore, making the right kind of friends should come with prayer and spiritual discernment.

David and Jonathon are biblical examples of two friends that were closer than brothers.  The Bible even says that David loved Jonathon more than a woman (i.e., “more than sex”) because he was the closest person in his life, 2 Samuel 1:26.  God wants you to have godly friends that are that close.

Though most friendships will be just acquaintances, and some will only be companions, there will be a select few that will be close and intimate. Seek out the people in your life that do more than just tolerate you, but they celebrate you. You want close and intimate friends that help you in your weaknesses and stay until you get strong. You need friends that come celebrate your strengths and help you grow and flourish.

Good friends will tell you when your wrong, but they also help you make it right. They will stand by your side when everyone else leaves and they will fight your battles with you. Real friends don’t just say they love you; they show you their love with their actions. If the devil can use people to hurt you, then God can use people to heal you. Don’t let past hurts and broken relationships keep you from finding good friends in life.

Begin to pray and ask God to give you healthy friendships that encourage and strengthen your faith. And remember you have to be a friend, to make a friend!

Reflection | Do you have close godly friends in your life?

Action | (1) Separate yourself from any ungodly friends that cause you spiritual harm. (2) Pray and ask God to send you good Christian friends. (3) Lastly, be a great friend and share life together with those who truly love you!

One Year Reading Plan (Optional) | Job 20:1-22:30, 2 Corinthians 1:1-11, Psalm 40:11-17, & Proverbs 22:2-4. Click here to read online.