Friendship

It is so important to have a friend that builds you up and doesn’t tear you down. Have a friend that points you to Christ in every situation and one that will encourage you to walk with Christ daily and live a Godly life. Have ever heard that saying that goes, “You are who you hang out with”? I have heard it many times and I have seen the fruit in my life that evolves from this saying. I am thankful to have amazing, God-fearing friends who have always encouraged me to live a Godly life. I have also seen those who have friends who aren’t Godly, pull them away from God. I have seen good kids turn bad just from hanging out with “the wrong crowd”. Who you choose as your “people” can greatly affect your life. So choose wisely.

Be A Good Friend

If you have friends that need guidance to walk righteously, be that example for them. Be the leader. Be that friend who is honest and will tell someone if what they are watching or doing is inappropriate and makes you uncomfortable. Be the leader in every situation. If that person doesn’t want to listen and doesn’t want to listen to good counsel, then they aren’t the friend for you. All you can do is try to encourage them on the right path and pray for them… But do not put yourself in their life if you don’t have to be there. What they do can affect you and you need to stay strong and walk out your faith. Maybe one day that friend will change because they saw how you stayed steadfast and saw good fruit in your life. And just think, if you had stayed friends with them and did not stay strong in your faith then they wouldn’t have changed. God will be faithful to you, so stay faithful to Him and be careful you befriend and be a good friend.

Be Trustworthy

When you are trusted to go out with friends, be trustworthy. Your parents should trust and know that you aren’t going out doing drugs, partying, or swearing behind their backs. Your parents should have peace knowing that you are out being the leader and if a bad situation comes up, you have the strength to walk out and say “NO”. Your parents should trust you with your cellphone. They shouldn’t have to wonder what you’re looking up or sending to people. Also, be trustworthy to friends. When a friend comes to you for help or prayer you shouldn’t go behind their back and tell others about their issues. They should have safety in you as their friend. Unless what they tell you is harmful to either them self or others (Like depression, suicide, or harming others physically) then you should seek counsel and help from others immediately.

Sharpen Each Other 

Sharpening each other is one of the most important things you can do. Read the word together as friends. Compliment one another. Send each other encouraging texts or calls. A friend loves at all times! Be a good friend. Yeshua is the ultimate friend! If you’re struggling with what it means to be a good friend, look at His example. He was the best friend.

What Does The Bible Say? 

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person,
    do not associate with one easily angered, Proverbs 22:24

A friend loves at all times,
    and a brother is born for a time of adversity. Proverbs 17:17

Two are better than one,
    because they have a good return for their labor:
¹⁰ 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. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10

As iron sharpens iron,
    so one person sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend
    forsakes the fear of the Almighty. Job 6:14 

Written by Olivia Mancini