Friends play a huge role in shaping our lives, and the Bible has much to say about choosing and being a good friend. Today, we’ll uncover what Scripture teaches about godly friendships.
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What Does The Bible Say About Friends
Proverbs 17:17
“A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of true friendship that endures through all circumstances. A friend is there to support, love, and stand by you no matter what challenges or difficulties you may face. In times of trouble, a friend becomes like a brother, offering comfort, strength, and encouragement.
Proverbs 18:24
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
This verse highlights the significance of having dependable friends in our lives. Trustworthy friends contribute to our well-being and help us avoid destructive paths. Such friends exhibit loyalty, offering unwavering support and companionship in both good and bad times, resembling the closeness of a sibling bond.
Proverbs 27:17
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
This verse portrays the mutual growth and influence that genuine friends have on each other’s lives. Just as iron blades are honed and made effective through sharpening, sincere friendships encourage personal development, accountability, and positive change. Friends help refine each other’s character, skills, and perspectives through their shared experiences and interactions.
Proverbs 27:9
“Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one’s friend springs from their heartfelt advice.”
This verse emphasizes the value of a friend’s wise and heartfelt counsel. Just as perfume and incense bring delight and a sense of refreshment to the soul, the words of a trusted friend can provide comfort, guidance, and wisdom. Friends who offer genuine advice filled with love and concern have the power to uplift, encourage, and bring joy to our hearts.
John 15:13
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.”
This verse reveals the epitome of true friendship shown by the sacrificial love of Jesus. Christ’s love for us was so profound that He willingly gave up His life to redeem and reconcile us to God. This verse teaches us that genuine friendship involves selflessness, putting the needs and well-being of others before our own, even to the point of giving up our lives if necessary.
Proverbs 13:20
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
This verse highlights the influence of the company we keep. Surrounding ourselves with wise and discerning friends who seek God’s wisdom and live according to His principles is beneficial. Their wisdom rubs off on us, helping us grow in understanding and making sound decisions. Conversely, spending time with foolish and ungodly companions can lead to harm and compromise our own spiritual, emotional, and mental well-being.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.”
This verse emphasizes the strength and advantage of having a friend by our side. Two individuals working together can achieve more than they could on their own. In times of weakness or failure, a friend is there to provide support, encouragement, and assistance, preventing despair and helping us to overcome adversity.
1 Samuel 18:1
“After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself.”
This verse highlights the deep spiritual connection and selfless love between David and Jonathan. Their friendship exceeded mere companionship, as they were united by a shared faith and mutual respect. True friends should love and care for one another as they love themselves, fostering an unbreakable bond built on trust, loyalty, and spiritual kinship.
Proverbs 27:6
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of honest feedback and constructive criticism from true friends. Genuine friends are willing to speak the truth in love, even if it may cause temporary discomfort or hurt. Their intentions are pure, seeking our growth and well-being, while false friends may offer flattery and insincere praises that mask their ulterior motives.
Proverbs 22:24-25
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.”
This verse warns against forming close relationships with individuals who have a quick temper or a tendency towards anger. Such companionship can have negative consequences as we are influenced by their behavior and may also fall into destructive patterns. Choosing friends wisely entails considering their character and the impact they might have on our own attitudes and actions.
Ruth 1:16-17
“Don’t urge me to leave you or to turn back from you. Where you go I will go, and where you stay I will stay. Your people will be my people and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there I will be buried. May the Lord deal with me, be it ever so severely if even death separates you and me.”
This verse portrays Ruth’s unwavering commitment and loyalty to her mother-in-law, Naomi, even in the midst of difficulty and loss. A genuine friend is willing to stand by our side through all circumstances, offering support and relational bonds that transcend blood ties. True friendship involves a deep commitment, displaying sacrificial love, and embracing each other’s journey.
1 Thessalonians 5:11
“Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
This verse emphasizes the importance of uplifting and edifying one another as friends. Encouragement is a vital component of true friendship, motivating and inspiring each other to grow spiritually, emotionally, and mentally. Friends are called to offer support, affirmation, and words of hope, strengthening each other in their faith and purpose.
Job 2:11
“When Job’s three friends, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite and Zophar the Naamathite, heard about all the troubles that had come upon him, they set out from their homes and met together by agreement to go and sympathize with him and comfort him.”
This verse illustrates the value of friends who demonstrate compassion and empathy during times of hardship. Job’s friends journeyed to console him in his suffering, showing the power of presence, support, and genuine concern. True friends are there to provide comfort, understanding, and encouragement, reminding us that we are not alone in our trials.
John 15:15
“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.”
This verse reveals Jesus’ deep bond with His disciples and the intimate relationship He desires with us. As friends of Christ, we are given access to His teachings, revelations, and the knowledge of God’s will. This verse reminds us that friendship with Jesus offers us the privilege of growing in spiritual understanding and sharing in the mission and purpose of God.
1 Corinthians 15:33
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’”
This verse serves as a cautionary reminder to choose our companions wisely. The company we keep has a profound influence on our character and behavior. Associating with those who engage in ungodly or negative practices can lead us astray and compromise our own values and integrity. Therefore, it is essential to surround ourselves with friends who encourage us to pursue righteousness and godliness.
Proverbs 27:10
“Do not forsake your friend or a friend of your family, and do not go to your relative’s house when disaster strikes you—better a neighbor nearby than a relative far away.”
This verse emphasizes the value of being faithful and committed to our friends and extended family. True friends remain steadfast through times of trouble, providing support and assistance when needed. In times of crisis, it is often more practical and beneficial to have the proximity and immediate help of a neighbor compared to a distant relative who may not be readily available.
Proverbs 27:19
“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart of another.”
This verse demonstrates how our lives are shaped and influenced by the friends we choose. Our character, thoughts, and actions are a reflection of the relationships we cultivate and the values we embrace. It is crucial to surround ourselves with individuals whose hearts align with God’s truth and righteousness, as their influence will impact the trajectory of our own lives.
James 4:8
“Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.”
This verse reminds us of the importance of seeking a close relationship with God. Drawing near to God requires repentance, purity of heart, and a genuine desire to follow His ways. As we deepen our friendship with the divine, God reciprocates by drawing near to us, showering us with His love, guidance, and presence.
Proverbs 19:6
“Many curry favor with a ruler, and everyone is the friend of one who gives gifts.”
This verse cautions against seeking friendship merely for personal gain or favor. True friendship transcends self-interest and material benefits. It focuses on genuine connection, mutual respect, and shared experiences. The worth of a friend should not be determined by possessions or status but by the quality of the relationship built on love, trust, and authenticity.
1 Samuel 20:17
“And Jonathan had David reaffirm his oath out of love for him, because he loved him as he loved himself.”
This verse highlights Jonathan’s unconditional love and loyalty towards David. Their friendship was built on selflessness and genuine care for one another. True friends go to great lengths to demonstrate their love and continually affirm their commitment, even in challenging circumstances. Their bond is characterized by mutual affection, support, and sacrificial acts.
Proverbs 12:26
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
This verse emphasizes the wisdom in selecting friends who uphold righteousness and godliness. The company we keep has a profound impact on our spiritual journey. Wise individuals are intentional in choosing friends who encourage and challenge them to live a life that aligns with God’s principles, while negative influences can easily lead us down a path of moral compromise and spiritual derailment.
Luke 6:31
“Do to others as you would have them do to you.”
This verse, often referred to as the Golden Rule, applies to friendship as well. The foundation of true friendship is treating others with kindness, respect, and love, just as we desire to be treated. Genuine friends create an atmosphere of acceptance, forgiveness, and understanding, fostering an environment where relationships can flourish and mutual support is freely given.