Recently I visited a church in the rural town of Kingaroy. They were doing a sermon series on relationships and on that particular Sunday, it was about friendships. I took notes because I wanted to remember what the Pastor said.
Qualities in friends to avoid:
1. Chronically negative or toxic – 2 Timothy 2:16 – 17 Avoid worthless, foolish talk that only leads to more godless behaviour. This kind of talk spreads like cancer.
2. Controlling or manipulative – Judges 16:5 The rulers of the Philistines went to her (Delilah) and said, “Entice Samson to tell you what makes him so strong and how he can be overpowered and tied up securely. Then each of us will give you 1 100 pieces of silver”
3. Tempters (looking for trouble) – Genesis 39: 10a, 12 She kept putting pressure on Joseph day after day…She came and grabbed him (Joseph) by his cloak, demanding “Come on, sleep with me!” Joseph tore himself away but he left his cloak in her hand as he ran from the house.
Qualities we should model and look for in friends:
1. Encourages – 2 Timothy 1:16 May the Lord show special kindness to Onesiphorus and all his family because he often visited and encouraged me. He was never ashamed of me because I was in chains.
2. Honesty and Integrity – Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
3. Self-sacrifice – John 15:13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
4. Trustworthy and loyal – 1 Samuel 18:1 After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. Proverbs 17:17 A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need.
Take a few moments to ponder….. What qualities would your friends say you have? What qualities do your friends show? Do you need to make some changes?
Tania Edwards
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