In Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 God declares, “Two are better than one…For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!” What is God teaching here? For one, He is teaching that friends are not optional! They are essential!It’s not simply friends that are necessary to have, but godly friends. The Bible gets specific about what kind of friends we should have—and whom we should avoid.
***A biblical friend fears the Lord. “I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. (Psalm 119:63)
The kind of friend that fears the Lord is one that realizes the consequences of sins. They have a fear of God in them and desire to bring Him glory in all things. A God fearing friend will also encourage you in your pursuit of fearing the Lord. Fear of man is something that hinders spiritual relationships from growing. If we’re fearing what other’s think of us, we’re most likely avoiding bringing observations of sin or being faithful to hold our friend accountable.
Recently on the blog “A Cup of Grace” (run by a few ladies from my church) they went through a series on being our sister’s keeper. A list of questions were provided that I found to be very helpful. Please read through them and evaluate your own life. Are you being faithful to be your sister’s keeper?
• Am I willing? Am I willing to be yoked together with others? Am I willing to help my sister’s in their struggles against sin? Am I willing to wash their feet?
• How can these truths affect your friendships with others and what will change look like?
• What typically hinders you from freely talking about your own sin and helping others with their sin, and how has this pattern negatively affected your relationships?
1 comment:
Candace, thank you so much for this post! Sometimes we forget that its not just fun to have friends but its also important!
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