3. Perfecting of you
A friend who is peaceful does not mean a friend who is afraid to tell you the truth, who is unwilling to confront you and call you out on areas in your life that need work. Someone who is wise, who is going to make you wise, is someone who is going to sharpen you and be used by God to sanctify you, to perfect you. Good friends aren’t perfect, but God uses them to help perfect you.
The wounds of a friend are trustworthy,
but the kisses of an enemy are excessive. (Proverbs 27:6)
4. Pleasurable for the walk
This is a walk, not a quick sprint. So, we want people we enjoy walking with. We don’t have to suffer through friendships or work relationships. This obviously does not mean that we avoid people who will hold us accountable, but we are free to enjoy relationships.
Oil and incense bring joy to the heart,
and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel. (Proverbs 27:9)
Of course, the best way to walk with the wise is to be a wise friend. Be someone who is passionate for Jesus, peaceful with others, and who cares about your friends’ spiritual growth, and you will pull those types of people into your life.
This article on how to walk with the wise originally appeared here, and is used by permission.
