Glancing by my texts, I got here throughout one from a buddy inviting me to lunch. After politely declining, I assumed to myself, “I’m a horrible buddy. Poor Susan should assume I’ve deserted her.” Whereas I wished to be there for my buddy, I made little effort to take action. The Lord had blessed me with a pricey buddy, however I had taken our friendship with no consideration. Tearfully, I requested God to indicate me how you can be a greater buddy.
What Does Proverbs Train Us about Friendship?
Proverbs teaches that friendship ought to be marked by love, loyalty, honesty, knowledge, discretion, generosity, and encouragement that helps each associates develop in godliness. In our fast-paced society, the place a fast textual content has taken the place of real dialog, investing in a friendship can appear a frightening job. Though balancing the calls for of household and profession leaves little time to nurture {our relationships}, it will be important that we accomplish that if we want to have lasting friendships. Proverbs provides us sensible knowledge for Christian friendship by exhibiting us not solely what sort of associates to decide on, however what sort of buddy we’re referred to as to develop into.
Listed here are 10 Proverbs that educate us how you can be higher associates to the folks in our lives. These Proverbs about friendship present {that a} godly buddy just isn’t solely current in straightforward seasons however is loving, reliable, smart, loyal, sincere, reliable, discreet, beneficiant, and prepared to assist others develop.
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1. A Good Buddy Is Loving
“A buddy loves always, and a brother is born for adversity.” Proverbs 17:17 (ESV)
When you consider the which means of friendship, what involves thoughts? Friendship is a relationship between two folks primarily based on mutual care, belief, respect, and help. Mates share frequent pursuits, take pleasure in being collectively, and admire one another. Past merely liking and caring for our associates, Proverbs teaches us that we must always love them all the time—in good instances and in dangerous. Greater than an emotional connection, loving our associates requires a dedication on our half.
After we love our associates, we love them with the identical love Jesus has for us. Jesus demonstrated His love by laying down His life for us. He instructs us to do the identical in 1 John 3:16, “By this we all know love, that he laid down his life for us, and we ought to put down our lives for the brothers.” As we search to develop into higher associates, our love for each other binds us collectively.
Reflection query: How can I be a greater buddy by loving and supporting my associates after they want me?
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2. A Good Buddy Is Reliable
“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, however a person of understanding stays silent. Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets and techniques, however he who’s reliable in spirit retains a factor lined.” Proverbs 11:12–13
The author of Proverbs understood that we should construct our friendships on a basis of belief. To be reliable means we’re worthy of one other individual’s confidence. We don’t communicate negatively about our associates behind their backs or reveal secrets and techniques they spoke to us in non-public. Who hasn’t identified somebody who can’t maintain a secret? When somebody we predict we are able to belief divulges intimate particulars of our lives or spreads rumors about us, it’s devastating. If a detailed buddy breaks our belief, it’s heartbreaking.
If we want to be a very good buddy to others, we should honor our friendship by holding the tales they share with us near our hearts. We have now nothing to achieve by repeating our buddy’s confidential data–and all the things to lose. The muse of a gorgeous friendship is being a reliable buddy.
Reflection query: What adjustments do I must make to be a extra reliable buddy to the folks I care about?
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3. A Good Buddy Is Smart
Whoever walks with the smart turns into smart, however the companion of fools will undergo hurt.” Proverbs 13:20
Have you learnt somebody who is sensible? How about an individual who behaves foolishly? I’ve identified individuals who appear to gravitate in the direction of bother–– and drag others proper together with them. On the subject of our associates, we should be cautious which of them we select as a result of “dangerous firm corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33).
The world is stuffed with fools, however really smart associates are a treasure to carry on to. However how can we develop into smart? The Bible teaches us to let the phrase of Christ dwell in us richly, instructing and admonishing each other in all knowledge (Colossians 3:16). Whereas folks possess a variety of opinions, the phrase of God guides us in how you can give sound recommendation and godly counsel to our associates, particularly to those that are making silly choices. Probably the greatest methods to be a very good buddy is to be an instance of knowledge, not solely in phrase however in motion.
Reflection query: How can I be a greater buddy by looking for to develop in knowledge and understanding by God’s phrase?
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4. A Good Buddy Is Loyal
“A person of many companions might come to spoil, however there’s a buddy who sticks nearer than a brother.” Proverbs 18:24
My mom used to inform me that if I had been fortunate, I might be capable of rely on one hand the quantity of people that could be my lifelong associates. “Mates come and go in life,” she stated. “Some are right here for under a season. Few might be with you for the long term.” Mother was proper. Whereas I’ve had some good associates in my life, my few closest associates are uncommon treasures.
God by no means supposed for us to be loners on this world. Solomon, in his knowledge, wrote in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10, “Two are higher than one, as a result of they’ve a very good reward for his or her toil. For in the event that they fall, one will raise up his fellow. However woe to him who’s alone when he falls and has not one other to raise him up!” Might we be the sort of buddy who’s loyal, who sticks shut, and who stays steadfast for years to come back.
Reflection query: How can I be a loyal buddy to somebody who feels alone or rejected?
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5. A Good Buddy Is Sincere
“Higher is open rebuke than hidden love. Trustworthy are the injuries of a buddy; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:5–6
Once I was a toddler, there was a cartoon character named Jiminy Cricket who sang a bit of ditty, “Honesty, it doesn’t matter what the results be, is the easiest coverage.” There was one thing a few cricket sporting a prime hat that made the tune extra memorable. As an grownup, it isn’t all the time straightforward to reside by this motto, particularly when it means hurting those I really like. Does the Bible instruct us to be sincere, even on the expense of our associates’ emotions?
Whereas it ought to by no means be our intent to harm others, the Bible exhorts us to “communicate the reality in love” (Ephesians 4:15). Are you prepared to handle the sin in your buddy’s life if doing so could also be exhausting for them to obtain? Humbly ask the Lord to indicate you how you can share your issues together with your buddy in a approach that may provide hope and therapeutic to their soul.
Reflection query: How can I lovingly share my issues with my buddy with out seeming judgmental?
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6. A Good Buddy Is Reliable
“Many a person proclaims his steadfast love, however a trustworthy man who can discover?” Proverbs 20:6
One of the cherished qualities of a very good buddy is dependability. To be a reliable buddy is to be dependable and somebody others can rely on. You could know an unreliable individual, somebody who promised to be there for you however then backed out on the final minute. Whereas they might have supposed to maintain their phrase, they allow you to down by failing to maintain their dedication. You will have performed the identical to your mates earlier than and later regretted it.
I wish to be the buddy others can depend upon, one who’s there for them after they want me. Matthew 5:37 exhorts us, “Let what you say be ‘Sure’ or ‘No’; something greater than this comes from evil.” This implies our associates can depend upon us to be there for them. Let’s make it our purpose to be higher associates by being reliable, protecting our phrase, and exhibiting up for our associates who want us.
Reflection query: How can I be a greater buddy by being there for folks after they want me?
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7. A Good Buddy Is Righteous
“One who’s righteous is a information to his neighbor, however the best way of the depraved leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26
This proverb warns in opposition to hanging out with depraved folks. To be depraved is to be ungodly, morally corrupt, and evil. Whereas associates ought to have a optimistic affect on one another’s lives, this isn’t all the time the case. The Bible admonishes us to abhor what’s evil and maintain quick to what’s good (Romans 12:9). A very good buddy warns the folks they care about of the chance of being led astray by evil folks.
The apostle John admonished his followers, “Little youngsters, let nobody deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he’s righteous” (1 John 3:7). As believers in Jesus Christ, we now have a accountability to guide others by instance. If we want to have a optimistic affect of their lives, we must always search to reside in a way that honors God by the phrases we communicate, the choices we make, and the actions we take. A righteous buddy doesn’t assume superiority over others; she seeks to reside humbly earlier than God and gently level her associates towards what’s true and good.
Reflection query: How can I’ve a optimistic affect on my associates by residing in a way that pleases and honors God?
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8. A Good Buddy Is Discreet
“Whoever covers an offense seeks love, however he who repeats a matter separates shut associates.” Proverbs 17:9
Have you ever ever confessed your ethical failure to somebody, solely to have them repeat it to others? Whenever you confided in your buddy, you thought they’d deal with your secret with discretion. Sadly, as an alternative, they gossiped about you. I need to confess that I even have repeated issues I promised to maintain confidential. My lack of discretion has damage others, however I’ve realized from these experiences to protect my phrases in relation to others’ affairs.
1 Peter 4:8 encourages us with these phrases, “Above all, maintain loving each other earnestly, since love covers a large number of sins.” Love covers sin; it doesn’t reveal it. If our buddy confesses their sin to us, we’re to forgive them and never repeat it. If they’re sinning, we who’re religious ought to go to them and restore them in a spirit of gentleness (Galatians 6:1). As we search to be higher associates to these we love, let’s make discretion a precedence.
Reflection query: In what methods can I be a greater buddy by masking offenses as an alternative of repeating them to others?
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9. A Good Buddy Is Beneficiant
“Whoever despises his neighbor is a sinner, however blessed is he who’s beneficiant to the poor.” Proverbs 14:21
What does it imply to be beneficiant? Being beneficiant with our sources means we’re open-handed in our giving. As a result of God gives for us, we are able to share these blessings with the folks in our lives who want our assist. Not solely ought to we be beneficiant with our materials possessions, however we’re additionally to be beneficiant with our time, assist, and a focus. I really like the promise in Luke 6:38, “give, and it will likely be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken collectively, operating over, might be put into your lap. For with the measure you utilize it will likely be measured again to you.”
Are there folks in your life with whom you will be beneficiant? You could be struggling financially your self proper now. That’s okay. There are lots of methods to be beneficiant towards others. Sharing a meal, serving to round their home, or offering a listening ear are methods you will be beneficiant with the presents God has given you.
Reflection query: What sources do I’ve that I can generously share with my associates at this time?
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10. A Good Buddy Helps You Develop
“Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens one other.” Proverbs 27:17
My greatest buddy of over 50 years has a outstanding approach of encouraging me in my calling and function. She sees my God-given presents and skills, in addition to the brand new alternatives for progress that the Lord brings my approach. She is an excellent cheerleader who believes in me and sees my potential. I attempt to do the identical for her.
1 Thessalonians 5:11 instructs us to “encourage each other and construct each other up, simply as you might be doing.” Are you within the behavior of encouraging your mates? Do you acknowledge their presents and skills? Are you prepared to problem them to achieve their full potential?
Together with encouragement, we now have the accountability to exhort one another in our religion. “However exhort each other on daily basis, so long as it’s referred to as ‘at this time,’ that none of you could be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin” (Hebrews 3:13). When associates mutually encourage and exhort one another, we sharpen one another. And that’s what associates are for.
Reflection query: How can I encourage my associates within the function and calling God has for his or her lives?
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A Prayer for Good Mates
Lord Jesus.
I wish to be a very good buddy to the folks you carry into my life, however it may be exhausting. Whereas I’ve good intentions, I typically enable to get in the best way of my friendships. Thanks for these ten proverbs that educate me how you can be a greater buddy. I’m grateful to replicate on these verses as I try to be a blessing to my associates. Might I really like my associates as You’re keen on me by honoring Your commandment to “love your neighbor as your self” (Matthew 22:39).
Assist me all the time to be loving, reliable, smart, loyal, sincere, reliable, righteous, discreet, beneficiant, and refined in the direction of my associates. I pray I’ll carry You glory in the best way I deal with my associates. Might I bear in mind to place their wants earlier than my very own as I willingly lay down my life for them. 1 Corinthians 13:13 tells us, “So now religion, hope, and love abide, however the biggest of those is love.” As I look to be a greater buddy, might I begin by being a loving buddy to the folks you carry into my life?
Thanks, Jesus.
Amen.
Continuously Requested Questions on Proverbs and Friendship
- What does Proverbs say about friendship?
Proverbs teaches that good friendship is loving, loyal, reliable, sincere, smart, discreet, reliable, beneficiant, and prepared to assist one other individual develop. - What is an efficient Proverb about friendship?
Proverbs 17:17 is without doubt one of the clearest verses about friendship: “A buddy loves always, and a brother is born for adversity.” - How can I be a greater buddy in response to the Bible?
You could be a higher buddy by loving persistently, protecting confidences, talking reality with gentleness, providing encouragement, being reliable, and looking for your buddy’s good. - What does “iron sharpens iron” imply in friendship?
“Iron sharpens iron” means trustworthy associates assist one another develop by encouragement, smart counsel, loving correction, and religious accountability. - How do I do know if a friendship is sensible or silly?
A smart friendship attracts you nearer to reality, godliness, humility, and love. A silly friendship leads you towards gossip, compromise, satisfaction, sin, or hurt.
For Additional Studying
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Daybreak Ward is an writer, speaker, and Bible instructor. She is the founding father of The Religion to Flourish, a ministry equipping ladies to flourish of their lives by inspiring instructing, mentoring, and biblical sources. The ministry additionally helps and encourages ladies with addicted family members.
Daybreak is married to Steve and mother to a few grownup youngsters. Together with writing and serving within the Girls’s Ministry of her native church, she is attending seminary the place she is learning for a Masters of Arts in Theological Research.
Daybreak’s e-book, From Guilt to Grace: Hope and Therapeutic for Christian Mothers of Addicted Youngsters is a labor of affection and is now accessible. Join with Daybreak at https://www.thefaithtoflourish.com.
Initially printed Monday, 24 August 2026.
