Back away from so-called “friends” who compromise your faith, who encourage you to experiment with what’s wrong, and who take you away from church and from following Christ. Stay away from “friends” who lead you away from obeying God and tempt you to do the same.
These are not true friends, because what they are doing will not help you, but hurt you. True friends don’t do what’s bad for each other. They do what’s good for each other. Be an example to your friends in glorifying God. That’s the best gift you can give to your friends…or get from them.
C. S. Lewis said, “The next best thing to being wise oneself is to live in a circle of those who are.”
I would encourage you to meditate on and memorize these verses. Write them down. Think about them. Put them in your heart, and God will remind you of them. They will encourage you toward strong Christian friendships and save you from the unwise choices of friends that destroy so many people who once loved Jesus:
Bible Verses to Help Choose Your Friends Wisely
“He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm” (Proverbs 13:20).
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way” (Proverbs 4:14-15).
“Stay away from the foolish man, because you will not find knowledge on his lips” (Proverbs 14:7).
“…rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God…Have nothing to do with them” (2 Timothy 3:4-5).
“Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers” (Psalm 1:1).
“A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother” (Proverbs 18:24).
“Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
Stay close to godly people, and surround yourself with people who love you enough to tell you the truth…even when it hurts. Because, in the end, as Jesus put it, “The truth will set you free.”
This article about how to choose your friends wisely originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
