Biblical Thoughts on Friendship
The Bible gives us some very good examples of friendship. Friendships modeled after the Bible's standards are truly valuable! As Proverbs 18:24 says €but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.€ (NIV).
Biblical examples like David and Jonathan, or Naomi and Ruth set a very high standard for friendship; both the kind of friend we should aspire to be, and the kind of friends we should seek out. In both these examples the individuals involved demonstrated a great loyalty to their friends.
1 Samuel 18:1-3 says €After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.€ (NIV). In every stage of their story Jonathan showed loyalty to David, not only because they were friends, but because he knew that God had chosen David. In Jonathan's case David being chosen meant that Jonathan was not going to inherit the kingdom as he would have otherwise, so Jonathan's actions shows depth of love and devotion he felt towards David.
And of course, the Bible gives us the ultimate example of friendship: Jesus Christ. Jesus had a lot to say about friends and friendship: John 15:12-13 says €My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.€ (NIV).
Just in these verses we can learn some things about what true friendship means, and the qualities that make up a true friendship. Jesus wants us to love our friends as He loved, unto the ultimate sacrifice of our own lives. Friendship requires unselfishness and self sacrifice. If we are seeking only to receive, we will never be a true friend. Jesus did not treat his disciples as inferior, He shared all He knew with them, this demonstrates true humility. A true friend welcomes others into their life on equal terms.
The Bible also teaches us that we must choose our friends wisely:
(Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV) Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
(1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV) Do not be misled: €Bad company corrupts good character.€
Because we are to exhibit trust, honesty, loyalty and devotion to our friends, we must choose them wisely. It has been said that you will become like the people you keep company with, so we must be choosey with those who come into our confidence. €As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.€ (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).
Biblical examples like David and Jonathan, or Naomi and Ruth set a very high standard for friendship; both the kind of friend we should aspire to be, and the kind of friends we should seek out. In both these examples the individuals involved demonstrated a great loyalty to their friends.
1 Samuel 18:1-3 says €After David had finished talking with Saul, Jonathan became one in spirit with David, and he loved him as himself. From that day Saul kept David with him and did not let him return home to his family. And Jonathan made a covenant with David because he loved him as himself.€ (NIV). In every stage of their story Jonathan showed loyalty to David, not only because they were friends, but because he knew that God had chosen David. In Jonathan's case David being chosen meant that Jonathan was not going to inherit the kingdom as he would have otherwise, so Jonathan's actions shows depth of love and devotion he felt towards David.
And of course, the Bible gives us the ultimate example of friendship: Jesus Christ. Jesus had a lot to say about friends and friendship: John 15:12-13 says €My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one's life for one's friends.€ (NIV).
Just in these verses we can learn some things about what true friendship means, and the qualities that make up a true friendship. Jesus wants us to love our friends as He loved, unto the ultimate sacrifice of our own lives. Friendship requires unselfishness and self sacrifice. If we are seeking only to receive, we will never be a true friend. Jesus did not treat his disciples as inferior, He shared all He knew with them, this demonstrates true humility. A true friend welcomes others into their life on equal terms.
The Bible also teaches us that we must choose our friends wisely:
(Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV) Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
(1 Corinthians 15:33 NIV) Do not be misled: €Bad company corrupts good character.€
Because we are to exhibit trust, honesty, loyalty and devotion to our friends, we must choose them wisely. It has been said that you will become like the people you keep company with, so we must be choosey with those who come into our confidence. €As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.€ (Proverbs 27:17 NIV).
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