Many of us say people we know are our friends, it’s a pretty
lose term in society today. What is a friend? How can we distinguish between a
friend and just another person we happen to know? If we look in the word God
has given us a clear defined answer to these questions. The NIV Proverbs 18:24,
“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who
sticks closer than a brother.” Wow! You mean to tell me when you have that flat
and you call John up and he says sorry I cannot come help every time you need
him. Let the game be on and you have some food over the house or ready to hit a
sports bar he is always ready for that. Yet you call this dude your friend. Or,
how about for you ladies when you call Suzie up and ask her does she mind
helping you with the kids and every time she is busy. Then later you call and
she is ready to go shopping or hit the club with you. That’s your girl, right?
We have instructions ladies and gentleman that is an unreliable “friend” who
will soon come to bring you pain and suffering so why are you calling them your
friend. That’s not your friend that’s somebody you just happen to know. That
guy or girl that is there every time you need them, that person you can count
on is your friend. The one who is with you when the times are rough praying
with you and for you. The one who has two dollars and gives you one. That
person you can tell anything and nobody knows but you that person and God. The
NLT Proverbs 17:17, “A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in
time of need.” This is not some made up narrative I’m trying to make you
believe, this is the instruction God has left for us. So, every time you have a
problem there is Cindy Lu like, “Yeah girl” agreeing with every negative word
that comes out your mouth. You know when two or more agree what that means. So
now your negativity has more power besides you speaking it into the atmosphere.
That’s not a friend, a friend will come against that and speak light into your
situation. A friend will encourage you not destroy you. A friend will speak
truth into your life when all you believe is lies. When that guy or girl is not
right for you a friend will speak truth instead of letting you live in a dark
place. The NIV Proverbs 3:3, “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind
them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.” Treating a
person with compassion and love does not mean we negate truth to do so. This
simple means we operate without anger or hate. You can speak truth without pain
and still get the point across. Be intentional in your message and be
compassionate in your tone. So, what are the key points when analyzing our
friends? The qualities of a friend are easy to find in the bible, so I will
give them to you one last time.
1.
Sticks Close – Proverbs 18:24
2.
Loyal/Faithful – Proverbs 17:17, 3:3
3.
Love – Proverbs 3:3
Don’t find yourself treating others bad because they don’t
fall into the friend category. We have also been instructed to love thy
neighbor. In the same token, we also cannot find ourselves calling everyone our
friend, because they simply don’t fit into that category. Most of those we know
are acquaintances of ours, we know them by association. We may spend time with
them yet it does not qualify them as a friend. Begin to pray God will open your
eyes to who your select few friends are, and know your relationship status with
them is more than a coincidence, God has strategically placed them in your life
for a purpose to help you walk out your journey. Pray with them and for them
consistently and never forsake a good friend.
