Speaking Frankly On Friendship

Introduction

Friendship can be the greatest blessing or the greatest burden in life. God has much more to say about friendship than you might think.

I. Choose Friends Biblically

We should choose our friends Biblically.

Proverbs 22:24 warns us "make no friendship with an angry man." Solomon also tells us "a companion of fools will be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20). "Do not be deceived: evil company corrupts good habits" (1 Corinthians 15:33-see also 1 Corinthians 5:9-13). If you are a child of God you have "a friend who sticks closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). "What a friend we have in Jesus, all our sins and griefs to bear." Jesus was called "a friend of tax collectors and sinners." (Matthew 11:19) However, He "was in all points tempted like we are, yet without sin," (Hebrews 4:15). Many Christians blindly fall into friendship with those in the world system-and I might add, to their own peril (see: James 4:4).

II. Cherish Friends Faithfully

Furthermore, we should cherish our friends faithfully.

This involves proper care and cultivation. Anna Holden King writes, "Friendship is like a garden of flowers fine and rare;

It cannot reach perfection except through loving care. Then, new and lovely blossoms with new day appear.

For friendship, like a garden grows in beauty year by year."

Solomon writes, "A friend loves at all times and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 18:24).

III. Change Friends Slowly

Finally, we should change our friends slowly.

Benjamin Franklin wrote, "Be slow in choosing a friend, slower in changing."

Solomon writes, "A whisperer separates chief friends" (Proverbs 16:28). Therefore we must be on guard against all the influences that would dissolve our friendships. Amid great difficulties, David and Jonathan remained fast friends (See 1 Samuel 20).

Conclusion

You may have heard it said, "Friends don't let friends drive drunk." Let me add, "Real friends don't let friends miss church" (Hebrews 10:25).

Be a friend.