Do you have a lot in common? Have they helped you through a difficult time? Do
they share your faith? Have you ever thought about the fact that our best friends — the people we most closely associate with — affect our walk with Jesus Christ, for better or worse? It’s true! Take some time to think about how your friends affect you. Then read 1 Corinthians 15:33, and ask the Lord to give you wisdom to choose friends that will help you draw closer to Him.
TUESDAY Since the people we most closely relate to are the ones who have the greatest influence on us, it makes sense that they should also share our faith, especially if our goal is to grow in our relationship with Jesus Christ. With that in mind, look over your list. Are your friends believers in Jesus Christ? If not, have you attempted to share your faith and beliefs with them? If not, why not? Ask the Lord to give you the courage to share your faith with your friends and invite them into a personal relationship with Jesus too. Read Romans 1:12.
WEDNESDAY Now you might be asking yourself, does this mean it’s wrong for me to have non-Christian friends? And the answer to that question is, “Of course not!” If we never associated with anyone besides other Christians, how would we ever get the opportunity to share Jesus’ love with those who need Him so much? The point is that our closest friends should not be unbelievers. We should not be depending on them for advice and support. They can look to us, but we shouldn’t look to them since doing so will gradually draw us away from Christ. Read 2 Corinthians 6:14-15.
THURSDAY On the other hand though some might be tempted to think, “Well, I’m safe. All my friends go to church, attend youth group, listen to Christian music, etc., etc.” But this can be a dangerous assumption, too. As we saw in the movie,
“Christians” aren’t always the best influence either. Josh’s girlfriend who claimed to be a Christian was one of the main people trying to discourage him from doing what he knew was right. So we need to be careful when it comes to advice, even when the friend seems like they have our best interest at heart. Does it line up with what God says? Read Proverbs 13:20.
FRIDAY Ecclesiastes 4:12 tells us that two are better than one and that “a rope woven of three strings is hard to break. Two people working toward a common goal is can accomplish amazing things. And two people who are committed to a common goal centered around Jesus Christ are unstoppable. Think about it? Do you have a friend that shares your faith and your desire to use your life to honor Jesus Christ — a cord of three strands (You, them, and Jesus Christ). Treasure it. Nurture it. It is an amazing gift! Don’t have a friend like that? Ask God to lead you into a relationship like this in His perfect time.
SATURDAY We’ve thought a lot this week about choosing good friends…. But we also need to ask ourselves, “What kind of friends are WE?” Ones who listen? Lead? Help? Care? Show others how important they are to God and His Son Jesus Christ? Ask God to help you be the kind of friend that honors Him. Check out Proverbs 17:17.