The Bible has much to say about what a true friend is. The best friend you can have, of course, is the Lord, Himself. Do you think that sounds strange, to be a friend to God? The Bible tells us that Abraham was called the friend of God (Isaiah 41:8). So, if the best friend you could ever have is God, and it is, then the next best thing would be to have a friend who is godly. Ask yourself this question: Does my friend care for me sacrificially or does my friend care about what I can do for him or her? A true friend will desire what is truly good for you and will be willing to sacrifice his desires to help you reach that good. John 15:13 says, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” A true friend is also willing to tell you the truth, even when it hurts; as well as to give you good counsel rather than just telling you what you want to hear. Proverbs 27:6 tells us, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” Proverbs 27:9 says, “Ointment and perfume delight the heart, and the sweetness of a man’s friend gives delight by hearty counsel.” Here’s another question to ask yourself: Am I a better person because of my friend, or am I a bitter person because of my friend? Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.” A true friend will make you a better person. Why? “A friend loves at all times” (Proverbs 17:17a). You see, a true friend will stick by you in the good and fun times as well as in the bad and hard times! The bottom line is that a true friend is a growing Christian who is faithful to the Lord. As your friend follows Christ, he or she will be equipped to be a true friend by mimicking the truest friend of all! In John 15:15 Jesus said, “But I have called you friends...”
