Righteous friends
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
We are known:
The phrase “a man is known by the company he keeps” has been used in English-speaking countries since the 1500s. Another phrase says “a man is known by who is enemies are”. These sayings are not only Biblically based but are observable in everyday life.
Fiends shape friends:
Prov 27:17 tells us that those who we associate with will affect us and our future. Sharpen means just what is says to make sharp or keen and alert. Countenance is defined as face, forward and can mean our facial features or even our direction. Those we associate with in such a manner as to be considered a friend (companion, close or far as in a fellow citizen); will affect us for good or evil.
James warns of being friends with the world (Jam 4:4) will eventually place us in an enemy relationship with God. John expands on this as to why it will do this (1 Jn 2:16). Solomon also gives warning of those we would associate with in life (Prov 1:10-16).
Friends love each other:
Solomon tells us in order to have friends we must be a friend (Prov 18:24). Since they love each other they are willing to tell each the other things they would not tell others because they are trusted (Gen 18:17; Jam 2:2:23). Since friends love each other they have a different relationship with each other than just acquaintances (Jn 15:14-17). If a person is a friend to another and they love them then they will also have love toward other friends of their friend – we will love one another.
Friends stick together:
When people are friends they will help one another during testing times and in good times. They will enjoy doing things together and enjoy one another’s company and counsel and other times.
We are told that those who love God will not enjoy the company of certain others (Psalms 1). We will not walk in the advice of those who are enemies of God; nor will we continue in their way or sit among them as their go against God.
Friends are great, but the greatest is Jesus, Who died for us.