Consider Your Friends: Building Genuine, Godly Relationships

Consider your friends. Do they exhibit godly characteristics that you respect? And do they, in turn, have admiration for the biblical qualities they see in you? This mutual respect is a necessary foundation for genuine friendship.

The Bible is clear that the company we keep shapes our character and our walk with God. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be deceived: Bad company ruins good morals.” Even the strongest believers can be influenced by the people they allow closest to them. True friendship requires alignment not only in personality and interests but in spiritual values.

In 2 Corinthians 6:14-15, Paul commands, “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?” This applies equally to deep friendships. A yoke ties two oxen together so they move in unison. If one walks in light and the other in darkness, both will struggle. The one pursuing righteousness will constantly be pulled off course.

Godly friendships are not built merely on fun or convenience but on shared pursuit of holiness. Proverbs 13:20 reinforces, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” The people around you can either sharpen your faith or dull it. Real friends push you closer to Christ, not closer to compromise.

Mutual admiration in friendship is not about ego. It is about recognizing and valuing the work of God in one another. When two believers walk in unity of spirit, they bring out the best in each other’s faith. Proverbs 27:17 reminds us, “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.” That sharpening happens through honest conversations, prayer, correction, and encouragement.

This kind of friendship is rare in a world driven by self-interest. Many relationships today are transactional, built on what one can gain rather than what one can give. But biblical friendship reflects the heart of Jesus, who said, “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends” (John 15:13). Genuine friendship is sacrificial. It is anchored in love, humility, and truth.

Consider who you allow to speak into your life. Do your closest friends inspire you to be more like Christ, or do they subtly lead you away from Him? Friendship should not be about popularity but about purpose. The people you walk with should be walking toward the same eternal destination.

If your circle does not reflect that, pray for discernment. Ask God to surround you with those who carry His Spirit and encourage your calling. True friendship is not measured by how long you’ve known someone, but by how faithfully they help you stay aligned with God’s will.

In the end, your friends should not only admire the biblical qualities they see in you but cultivate their own in the process. That is the beauty of godly connection: it multiplies righteousness. Choose friends who make you better in Christ, and be the kind of friend who does the same for others.