Godly Wisdom Regarding Earthly Friendship!
Godly Wisdom Regarding Earthly Friendship
It has been said, that “Friendships are important to God because of the tremendous influence they hold over our lives. We often make many decisions based on the counsel of friends, and through friendship, we can significantly impact the lives of others. Therefore, it is a ‘must’ that we follow God’s guidance in establish friendships!”
How does all this tie in: simple, people lack a clear understanding of the levels of friendship, and try to lump all levels into one, not knowing that each level is dependent on the closeness of the relationship. The four levels of friendship are (1) acquaintance, (2) casual, (3) close, and (4) intimate.
Our Father has provided the wisdom necessary to develop good relations with those around us. And at the same time, He helps us to avoid the pitfalls that too often destroy good friendships.
We’re going to use the Book of Proverbs, to talk about things such as:
The Value of Friends, who can be a source of comfort in the good and bad times. Proverbs 17:17, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.” And in some cases, better than friendship that can be provide by a family member, as stated in 18:24, “There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”
A friend can be a source of good counsel. Look at Proverb 27:9, “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.” In choosing this real friend, the Word of God still gives us guidelines, as stated in 12:26, “The godly give good advice to their friends; the wicked lead them astray.”
There are choices to make, when choosing a friend:
There are friends YOU do want and friends, You don’t want.
Friends I want, are those who themselves, display wisdom, as found in 13:20, “Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble.” And in 13:14, “The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death.”
Friends that I don’t want, are those who waste valuable time; Gossiping, 20:19, “A gossip goes around telling secrets, so don’t hang around with chatterers. “ Someone that’s short-tempered, 22:24-25, “Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul.” Those that are liars and untrustworthy, 25:18-20, “Telling lies about others is as harmful as hitting them with an ax, wounding them with a sword, or shooting them with a sharp arrow. Putting confidence in an unreliable person in times of trouble is like chewing with a broken tooth or walking on a lame foot. Singing cheerful songs to a person with a heavy heart is like taking someone’s coat in cold weather or pouring vinegar in a wound.
In Conclusion: How do we maintain good friendships?
By NOT: sharing things YOU hear about a person, whether true or not, with others, who don’t add any value to the life of the person the news is about. In Proverbs 17:7, “Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.” By getting into senseless arguments, 17:14, “Starting a quarrel is like opening a floodgate, so stop before a dispute breaks out.” Overstaying your welcome, 25:17, “Don’t visit your neighbors too often, or you will wear out your welcome.” Someone that’s always joking and jesting, 26:18-19, “Just as damaging as a madman shooting a deadly weapon is someone who lies to a friend and then says, “I was only joking.”
Would be friends are looking for people who are:
Slow to anger, Proverbs 15:18, “A hot-tempered person starts fights; a cool-tempered person stops them.” And even James 1:19-20 says, “Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry. Human anger does not produce the righteousness God desires.” Make sure that You and the Lord have a good relationship, as expressed in 16:7, “When people’s lives please the LORD, even their enemies are at peace with them.” People who are good listeners, 10:19, “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.” Be quick to show then love, 10:12, “Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.” And last but not least, if it’s necessary, rebuke them instead of flattering them, 28:23, “In the end, people appreciate honest criticism far more than flattery.”
Jesus said in Romans 13:8,“Owe nothing to anyone—except for your obligation to love one another. If you love your neighbor, you will fulfill the requirements of God’s law.”
And in John 15:13, “There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are My friends if you do what I command.”