Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm. – Proverbs 13:20 NIV
Jimbob learns the value of choosing good friends and companions. What character qualities do you value? What traits do you exhibit that your children or friends see in your life as the bedrock of your decision making?
Essential character distinctives
- Loves God and not the things of the world. You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.James 4:4 ESV
- Values forgiveness. Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you. Ephesians 4:31-32 NIV
- Not selfish or greedy. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends Proverbs 15:13 Also love your neighbor as yourself.
- Speaks the truth in love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 24:6
- Not given easily to anger. Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare. Proverbs 22:24-25
What’s missing from the above list? There are many more attributes that you may desire to impart as important to your children, but the following reveals good bonding can happen in spite of these status markers.
Friends can bond coming from very different economic status, it matters not whether they are rich or poor. Deep friendships exist across differing racial boundaries. Friends value listening to one another regardless of educational intellect. Great times can be shared among those who have very different physical characteristics.
Ask God to give you friends of value, while you possess the valuable qualities you look for in others. Bad company corrupts good morals, but the converse is also true.
Good and wise friends build strength to stand in trouble, create a net to catch you when you fall, cheer one another on to finish well, listen to your heart, call you out when necessary, and have a way of “being there” when you need them most.
The body of Christ is woven together by the Holy Spirit in such a way that friends can’t help but love one another deeply. No more isolation. Somebody needs you, like you need them. Choose wisely with whom you spend your time.
Blessings Love y’all