Friendship👬

Friends are blessings to one’s life. Life can be much better when we have close friends who love and cherish each other. The Scripture often refers to the importance of good friends and it has stories of good and bad friendship throughout history. In human history, many lives were transformed by encountering good friends, and many lives were destroyed by getting into bad company of friends. “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24, NLT). 

           Friendship has the potential to build lives; it can also destroy lives. Friendship can create opportunities; it can also destroy opportunities. Friendship can build success; it can also lead to failure. Friendship can transform lives from worse to best; it can also transform lives from good to worse. Friendship can bring someone closer to God; it can also take him away from God. Friendship has so much power either to build lives or to destroy lives. Scripture often warns us of the bad company of friends that leads to destructions and teaches us to make friends with those who fear God. “The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.” (Proverbs 12:26, NLT)

           There were testimonies and evidence in the history of mankind where the bad company of friendship has destroyed lives. One such story is found in the book of Chronicles where King Jehoshaphat of Judah (who has reverence for God) entered friendship with King Ahab of Israel (who does not fear God) and almost destroyed his life in a battle where King Ahab was killed. There are stories of good people who have become addicted to alcohol, drugs, and violence just because they make friends with those who are addicted to them. There are also stories of good people who try to win toxic friends, make friends with them, and eventually become like them because they failed to keep their commitments. In his first letter to Corinthians, Paul warned them to get rid of the bad company because it corrupts one’s character and faith in the Lord. “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” (Proverbs 22:24-25, NLT)

           There were also testimonies and stories of people whose lives were protected and built by making good friendships. One such story can be found in 1 Samuel 18-20 where David and Jonathan make friendship in the name of God. Jonathan protected David’s life from his father Saul no matter what they went through. The bond of love and affection for Jonathan and David was so strong that even King Saul could not destroy their friendship. A friendship built in the Lord is strong and can build and protect one’s life from dangers. There are also many testimonies of people who have never been to church or read the Bible eventually become good believers by encountering good friends who helped them know Christ. Lives were transformed and people were trained by making good friendships. “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” (Proverbs 17:17, NLT)

           Friendship is given by God for our good but when we make friends with the wrong ones, it can be dangerous not only to our physical well-being but also to our spirituality. Like David and Jonathan, friendship will have many benefits and much stronger when we put God in it. Friends who pray for each other, encourage each other and correct each other have more benefits than those who make fun of each other, gossips about each other, and are involved in evil practices. The kind of friends one has can also determine the kind of person he or she is. One must carefully consider his friends whether they are beneficial to him or whether he can positively impact his friends. If it is found not beneficial nor can make a positive impact, he needs to find ways to associate with people who can edify his life. “Many will say they are loyal friends, but who can find one who is truly reliable”? (Proverbs 20:6, NLT)

           Perfect friendship can be found when we truly give ourselves to the Lord. Jesus Christ calls himself a friend of us when we genuinely believe in Him and do the Father’s will. Harry Emerson Fosdick rightly said, “The steady discipline of intimate friendship with Jesus results in men becoming like Him.” God must be our ultimate friendship goal because through Him and in Him, all things work perfectly. Only by having a friendship with God, we can become like Christ and have a good relationship with our friends. Friendship is a gift of God and it should be made to glorify Him. May we make friendship to edify our lives and glorify God.