Choosing Godly Friends
It’s a fact of life that you can’t choose which family you belong to. It doesn’t matter what personality traits, or physical characteristics you’ve inherited, like it or not - it is part of who you are for your genetic makeup is given to you by your parents. Nothing can ever change that. You “can” however, choose your friends! Who you spend your time with is a critical decision because “by beholding - you become.” In other words, you become like the people you hang out with. Ask for Holy Spirit guidance before forming close relationships because their potential influence on your life could strengthen your faith - or lead you down a sinful and painful path. The Bible says in Proverbs 12:26, “A righteous man is cautious in friendship, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” And in Proverbs 13:20, it says, “He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm.” Everyone has an “inner circle” of friends - those who they trust to share their secrets and count on for support. Be very careful who is in your “inner circle,” and keep close to you those who share your faith and values. Never underestimate the importance of choosing godly friends who will uplift, encourage, and inspire you to be more like Jesus! Text: Romans 12:10, Proverbs 18:24, Proverbs 27:17 Bible Texts: Romans 12:10 NKJV - Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; Proverbs 18:24 NKJV - A man who has friends must himself be friendly, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 27:17 NKJV - As iron sharpens iron, So a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.