Friendship is the emotions or conduct of friends, the state of being friends. A friend is a person whom one knows and whom one has a bond of mutual affection. A person who acts as a supporter. A person who is not an enemy. A person who is familiar or helpful. Who are your friends? Why do you choose to call those people friends?

Recently, I found myself calling on my friends from a place of despair. In doing so, God taught me a lesson that I had head knowledge about but not heart knowledge. I knew the value of calling on “certain” friends in times of anguish because I knew they would speak God’s truth to me that emotions or temporary circumstances would attempt to cloud. I did not realize that there are people in my life who I call a friend who, in SUBTLE ways, distract me in my relationship with God. 

You see, our friends and associates can profoundly influence us by simply being who they are. Psalm 1:1 says, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” This psalm explains the contrast between those who seek to be faithful to God and those who do not. Those who seek to be obedient to the Lord produce the fruit of doing so. They are not exempt from tribulations, but they are blessed and will prosper. While the wicked live a life of destruction. The two do not mix. The righteous are called to witness to the wick, not to imitate the wicked or participate in their sinful behavior. The more we allow our thoughts and attitudes to be affected by unbelievers, the more we separate ourselves from God.

Do your friends bear the fruit of obedience, or do they live a life of destruction? Do your friends draw you closer to God, or do they hinder your walk?

Choose wisely whom you call a friend.

Pray

Father God, help me to choose friends that are not indifferent to you. Surround me with people who build up my faith. Remove those in my life who attempt to tear down my faith no matter how subtle their actions are. Help me to know the difference. In Jesus’ name, amen.