Wisdom Regarding Friendship

INTRODUCTION

1. Living on an inhabited planet, it is impossible to avoid associations with fellow humans

2. In His all-sufficient Word, God has provided the wisdom necessary whereby we can...

a. Develop good relations with those around us

b. Avoid the pitfalls that too often destroy good friendships

[A good portion of this wisdom is found in Proverbs, where much is revealed regarding the subject of friendship. For example, note what is revealed about...]

I. THE VALUE OF FRIENDS

A. SOURCE OF COMFORT...

1. In good times and in bad times - Pro 17:17

2. In some cases, even better than that provided by a brother - Pro 18:24b

B. SOURCE OF GOOD COUNSEL...

1. Counsel that can “delight the heart” - Pro 27:9

2. The value of counsel in general is seen in Pro 11:14

[A friend who offers comfort and can be trusted to provide good counsel is certainly a blessing. But we must choose our friends carefully (Pro 12:26). Consider therefore, some advice on...]

II. THE CHOICE OF FRIENDS

A. FRIENDS YOU DO NOT WANT...

1. Gossips - Pro 20:19

2. Short-tempered - Pro 22:24-25

3. Those given to drinking and gluttony - Pro 23:20-21

4. Those given to change - Pro 24:21-22

5. Liars, those untrustworthy, and those inconsiderate - Pro 25:18-20

6. Those given to violence - Pro 1:10-19

B. FRIENDSYOUDOWANT...

1. Those who display wisdom themselves - Pro 13:20

2. For their teaching (counsel) will help lead you in the right way - cf. Pro 13:14

[The wrong kind of friends can be a corrupting influence (cf. 1 Co 15:33), but a friend who is good and wise is one you want to hold on to! To avoid losing good friends, here is some wisdom on...]

III.MAINTAINING FRIENDSHIPS

A. THINGS WHICH DISRUPT FRIENDSHIPS...

1. Repeating everything you hear - Pro 17:9

2. Getting into senseless arguments - Pro 17:14

Mark A. Copeland

Sermons From Proverbs 44

3. Overstaying your welcome - Pro 25:17

4. Meddling in affairs not your own - Pro 26:17

5. Playing bad jokes - Pro 26:18-19

6. Being a “talebearer” - Pro 26:20

7. Being contentious - Pro 26:21

8. Engaging in insincere flattery - Pro 27:14

[Following such advice, one is less likely to offend his or her friends. But sometimes we do, and regaining their confidence is not easy (cf. Pro 18:19). What can be done? Consider...]

B. SOLVINGPROBLEMSWITHOURFRIENDS...

1. Make sure that you are at peace with the Lord - cf. Pro 16:7

2. Be slow to anger - Pro 15:18; cf. Ja 1:19-20

3. Be slow to respond - Pro 18:13

4. Avoid quarreling - Pro 20:3

5. Speak gently - Pro 15:1

6. Speak briefly - Pro 10:19

7. Be quick to show love - Pro 10:12

8. But if necessary, rebuke rather than flatter - Pro 28:23

CONCLUSION

1. Properly applying the wisdom of God found in His Word can assure that...

a. We enjoy the blessings of good friends in this life

b. We can look forward to enjoying these dear friends in life eternal!

2. Rather than depend upon “trial and error” to learn “how to win friends and influence people”, let God’s Word be your guide!

But of all the friendships we could possible develop, none can excel the one we can have with Him who truly “sticks closer than a brother” - our Lord Jesus Christ!

Have you become His friend? Consider what He has done for us...

“Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.” (Jn 15:13)

Consider what He asks of us...

“You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” (Jn 15:14)

Have you done what He commands? - cf. Mt 28:18-20; Mk 16:15-16