True Friends

As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friends. Proverbs 27:17



We are made for friendships! But real friendship are never accidental, they are cultivated over time. The Bible says that the friends we make have deep impact on our lives. 1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be deceived: ‘Evil company corrupts good habits, ‘ and Proverbs 12:26 teaches us, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Therefore, we need to carefully select who we call our close friends



The Bible talks about some people who we need to avoid as close friends. Among them are lazy people (Prov. 15:19); angry people (Eccl. 7:9); immoral people (1 Cor. 5:9); and greedy people (Prov. 1:10-19). In choosing friends, what traits should you look for?



(1) Look for those who will help you to be wise. Friends are part of our education. Proverbs 13:20 says. “He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will be destroyed.” Do your friends help you make wise decision or do they lead you astray? Do your friends bring out the best in your life? If not, find friends that will challenge you to do what is right.



(2) Look for those who will share your burdens. A friend can be counted on in a crisis. Galatians 6:2. “Bear one another’s burden, and so fulfill the law of Christ.” A friend is somebody who sees you through when others let you down. Look for people who are not self-centered. True friends are not those who look out only for themselves.

(3) Look for those who will help you grow spiritually. We all need spiritual encouragement to grow. We need friends who will pray with us, lift us up spiritually and help us keep our course for the Lord. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, ” And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”



Pursue friendships with people who know God and have a strong relationship with Him. True friends are not just people we socialize and have fun with. True friends are those who can help us grow in God. They are those who will pray with us when we are discouraged, guide us when we are lost, and stirs us to do good for the glory of God