“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24 NIV).
If you want to have a great life, make sure you choose the right friends. The “friend who sticks closer than a brother” is the kind of friend that will stick with you through thick and thin. Jesus is that friend that sticks closer than a brother and He has set the example for us to follow.
That kind of friend will pick you up, encourage you, and help you to not get off track and do stupid stuff. They will give you candid advice even when you don’t want to hear it. They’ll also be your biggest cheerleaders.
Not every friendship will be as tight-knit as that, but every friend should be chosen wisely. Proverbs 12:26 (NIV) says, “The righteous choose their friends carefully.”
Make sure you hang out with people who are pulling your life in the right direction.
Don’t hang out with those who will drag you into bad situations. You may not be someone who is prone to mischief, but hanging out with people who are troublemakers will put you in situations that you may regret.
Proverbs 16:29-30 (NLT) tells us to be careful of “violent people (who) mislead their companions, leading them down a harmful path.” Good friends won’t lead you into bad situations that will compromise your safety or your integrity.
Bottom line—friendships matter. Who you hook up with on this journey through life can make or break you. It can make the difference between you having a great, fulfilling, successful life, or having a life that is filled with trouble and regret. Choose wisely!
Remember: If you want to find a friend like this, you also need to work on being a friend like this.
THE TAKE AWAY
Evaluate your friendships. Ask yourself the following: Are the friends I hang out with good people? Do they exhibit integrity, honesty, faithfulness, godly character, and honor? Are they pulling me in the right direction? Do I need to make some changes?
