Friendship is one of the most beautiful gifts we can give and receive. this is a selection of proverbs about friendship bible verses. God created us to relate, not to be alone and apart from others.
At different stages of our lives, God gives us special people: our friends. The theme of friendship is present in the Bible and in the book of Proverbs we find very good advice on how to choose and how to be good friends.
10 Verses in proverbs about friendship
Let’s look at these tips and learn to be genuine friends who bring blessing and joy to others.
1. Choose well
He who walks with wise men becomes wise; whoever associates with fools will come out badly.
(Proverbs 13:20)
A friend is someone special with access to areas of our lives that we don’t let everyone else in. His attitudes influence us and sometimes we end up adopting behavioral traits that we see in them. That’s why we need to be wise in choosing who to date and who to let into our world. We must pray and ask God to direct our steps, to guide us to people who share our love for him and our desire to please him.
2. Reject gossip
The wicked cause strife, and the gossip divides good friends.
(Proverbs 16:28)
We must be faithful and loyal to our friends, not allowing other people to come to us with malicious comments and gossip about them. If someone tells us something, we should go directly to our friends and ask if what they have told us is true or not. We must always advocate in favor of our friends and we must never tell others their confidences or feed gossip about them. It is very sad to be betrayed by someone we love and consider our friends.
3. Always forgive
He who forgives the offense cultivates love; he who insists on the offense divides his friends.
(Proverbs 17:9)
We are imperfect beings, we make mistakes and have differences of opinion. If we want a friendship to grow and last, we need to be willing to forgive. We must make an effort to understand the explanation of the other and fight together to strengthen the friendship. If we care more about being right or that things are done our way, it may be that the love for the person is not very great or the friendship is so real.
4. Give space
Don’t frequent your friend’s house; lest you annoy him and he comes to hate you.
(Proverbs 25:17)
Respect each other’s personal space and privacy. Being a friend does not give us permission to interfere in everything or demand that they make us part of all aspects of their lives. It is not a good sign if a person constantly calls or shows up to visit at any time without checking if it is a good time. This is an indication of insecurity and desire for control.
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5. Recognize the real ones
There are friends who lead to ruin, and there are friends more faithful than a brother.
(Proverbs 18:24)
True friends look out for each other’s well-being and go to great lengths to help and bless them. No matter what difficulties the other is going through, they are by their side cheering them on and providing the necessary support. A person who only tries to gain benefit from another without caring about the problems he may cause is not a good friend.
6. No economic interest
With riches friends increase, but the poor even his friend abandons him.
(Proverbs 19:4)
The people who appear when we charge and then disappear as the month ends and the resources are not friends but interested. A true friend does not look at our bank account or our social position. He values us for our qualities and for what we are, not for what we have or don’t have.
7. Monitor behavior
Do not make friends with violent people, nor do you associate with the angry, lest you learn their bad habits and fall into the trap yourself.
(Proverbs 22:24-25)
It is very convenient to choose friends with similar values because we imitate both the good and the bad of the people we care about. If our desire is to please God and do his will, we will look for people who desire the same and who act as Christ wishes. In this way, we will encourage each other to grow and reflect the character of Christ.
8. Accompany the good and the bad
At all times the friend loves; to help in adversity the brother was born.
(Proverbs 17:17)
True friends share the joys and sorrows, always stay by our side and cheer us on. The brother has the “obligation” to help us because it is seen as part of his duties, but it is worth a lot and gladdens the heart when a friend willingly stays by our side and helps us in times of adversity.
9. Appreciate the honesty
More trustworthy is the friend who hurts than the enemy who kisses.
(Proverbs 27:6)
Sometimes friends have to tell painful truths, but the simple fact that they dare to say them and say them with love shows that they value the other person very much. A true friend warns us when we make a wrong decision or when our attitude is not positive. He gives us advice and helps us to do our best in every situation.
10. Sweeten your life
Perfume and incense gladden the heart; the sweetness of friendship strengthens the spirit.
(Proverbs 27:9)
Friendship should be like a balm to our lives bringing comfort, relief, and peace to our hearts. The words and attitudes of friends should give us new strength to face the problems of life.
BONUS:
11. Faithful through the years
Do not abandon your friend or your father’s friend. (…) A close neighbor is better than a distant brother.
(Proverbs 27:10)
We can find good friends and learn a lot with people from another generation, friendship should not be limited to those who are our age. The best friends are the ones that prove their loyalty over the years, the ones that show that you can count on them at all times. This kind of friend can become more valuable than our own family.
