Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Oftentimes friendships are forged over common interests, hobbies or experiences. BUT a true friend, who is a believer, will point out spiritual things to us that we can’t see, such as sin and idolatry in our hearts. They will point us to Christ. They will show us areas of our life where we lack joy in the Lord. They will relish with us in the wonder of who God is and what He has done. A Christian friend won’t tell us what we want to hear, but rather what we need to hear.
Faithful Friends Speak Openly and Lovingly
Proverbs 27:5–6 says, “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
Good friends exhort one another in love.
They do not call out our sin because they enjoy it or because they enjoy pointing out each and every flaw. Rather they do it because it deeply grieves them to see another believer stumble into sin. Because we are united together in Christ, it hurts the body of Christ when various members turn away from God to do their own thing.
Gentleness in Godly Exhortation
The efforts that good friends make to exhort one another are always done out of love and gentleness. Take a look at Proverbs 25:11, “A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in a setting of silver. Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.”
Godly friends go out of their way to speak to their friends in kindness. They encourage each other to love and good works. They constantly seek to encourage each other in their faith.
Seeking and Praying for Godly Friendship
Do you have a friend like this in your life? If not, pray that the Lord would provide you a friend like this. Seek out friendships with those who radiate the love of Christ and joy in their lives. Spend time with those who live to enjoy God for the glory of God. Take the time to develop deep, trusting friendships with others and mutually seek the best in one another, including exhorting one another in the faith.
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