The book of Proverbs contains wisdom for almost all aspects of life. We can’t take a lesson from this book and claim it as a promise which will always produce the consequence depicted, but the predicted results will happen as a general rule.
You’re at a point in your life when you’re gaining new friends. Meeting people and embarking on adventures with them is fun. Friendships affect us greatly, however, so wisdom encourages caution. The book of Proverbs emphasizes the importance of making certain our friendships don’t hurt our spiritual walk.
One area Proverbs encourages consideration of is the character of potential friends, the choices they make based on their priorities. Proverbs 12:26 reads, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray”(NKJV). That’s pretty direct. Proverbs 13:20 instructs, “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” The book of Proverbs mentions fools or foolishness 96 times because fools are out there. We need to open our eyes and beware.
The sentiment is emphasized by Paul when he quotes a writer from before his time: “Bad company ruins good morals”(1 Corinthians 15:33). In Romans 16:17-18, Paul again warns to avoid people with incorrect theology who cause confusion and division.
A potential friend’s motivation for being your friend is an aspect of character which some don’t consider, but it matters. Proverbs 14:20 reads, “The poor is disliked even by his neighbor, but the rich has many friends.” Proverbs 19:4 reminds, “Wealth brings many new friends, but a poor man is deserted by his friend.” If your friend likes you only because of what you have to offer him, monetarily or otherwise, he’s not a genuine friend.
In addition to encouraging you to choose wise friends with God-honoring character, the book of Proverbs also instructs to avoid friends whose communication is not God-honoring: “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends. A man of violence entices his neighbor and leads him in a way that is not good”(Proverbs 16:28-29). “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man”(Proverbs 22:24). “Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge”(Proverbs 14:7).
Don’t underestimate the effect a friend can have on you. Do your current friendships help your relationship with God? Be friendly to everyone but look for close friends who encourage you to be more Christlike, more God-honoring, more biblical.