We all agree guardrails are a good idea on an icy road through the mountains. What about when it comes to our friendships? God has wired us for friendship. We all desire friendship! The question is, how do we build strong, lasting friendships? We have to understand that friends influence us and have the opportunity to determine the quality and direction of your life. Friends will either bring you down or lift you up.
“He who walks with the wise grows wise; but a companion of fools suffers harm" Proverbs 13:20. Paul also wrote, “be careful how you walk because the days are evil.” Ephesians 5:16. We live in a culture that is addicted to acceptance. We long for it. We crave it and sometimes at any cost emotionally, physically and spiritually. In order to discover true friendship we need to know the difference between a fool and wise person:
A fool is a person who knows the difference between right and wrong but doesn’t care. “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33. Your greatest regrets revolve around being with friends. We easily “drop our guard” when we are surrounded with friends. It is much more about who you are with, than what you are doing. Proverbs warns us that a companion of fools suffers harm!
A wise person is someone who knows the difference between right and wrong and chooses to do what is right, even if it is hard.
The people closest to you have access to your heart and your mind.
Real Friends:
- Will encourage you even when you fail.
- Will be under God's authority.
- Know you deeply and love you unconditionally
- Will be a person you can trust to tell you the truth even when it hurts. "Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy." Proverbs 27:6
Definition of friendship? A trustworthy person you mutually choose to love and to encourage in order to bring God glory. Instead of waiting for the perfect friend to come along, go and be that friend that you desire to someone else!
How important is friendship? What are the qualities of a true friend?