Choosing Righteous Friends

Making friends is common to humanity, as God created to us to have relationships with others. However, because man is inherently sinful and lives in a system with values set against God, believers should be wise regarding who they associate with, as “bad associations corrupts good morals” (1 Cor. 15:33).

As Christians, we should love all men and seek to meet their needs, both spiritually and physically, if they’re willing to have them met. However, close relationships should be developed over time, only as we get to know others, hearing their words and watching their ways, and feeling confident they are among the faithful righteous (Ps. 26:1-5; 101:1-8; Rom. 16:17-18; 1 Cor. 5:9-13; 15:33; 2 Cor. 6:14-17; 2 Thess. 3:14-15). A righteous person will:

Submit to God’s will (Jas. 4:7; cf. Rom. 12:1-2).
Seek to glorify God (1 Cor. 10:31).
Display a godly love (1 Cor. 13:4-8; 1 John 3:23).
Speak biblical truth (Eph. 4:15, 25).
Show humility (Eph. 4:1-2).
Be forgiving (Matt. 18:21-22).
Encourage others to do good works (Heb. 10:24).
Want to fellowship with Christians (Heb. 10:25).
Pray for others (2 Thess. 1:11).
Build others up in the Lord (1 Thess. 5:11).
Be devoted to fellow believers (Rom. 12:10).
Live by faith (Rom. 1:17).

You will be blessed by choosing Christian friends who love the Lord and seek His will above all else.

Dr. Steven R. Cook

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About Dr. Steven R. Cook

Dr. Steven R. Cook is a Christian educator. He is protestant, non-charismatic, and dispensational. Studies in the original languages of Scripture, ancient history, and systematic theology have been the foundation for Steven’s teaching and writing ministry. He has written several Christian books, dozens of articles on Christian theology, and recorded more than seven hundred hours of audio and video sermons. Steven currently serves as professor of Bible and Theology at Tyndale Theological Seminary, and hosts weekly Bible studies at his home in Texas.

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