Friendship

Recently I have been thinking about "Friendships". Friends come and go, some good friends and some well alright friends. I was wondering what makes a friendship solid and good, verses just a passing leaf blowing in the wind. They come and go out of my life just like a leaf falling from a tree. I don't really know the answer about friendships, but I have had many that would seem to last through the test of time, but then I find myself without. The definition of a friend taken from the Webster dictionary is this: a person whom one knows and with whom one has a bond of mutual affection, typically exclusive of sexual or family relations.

I think in order to get a true comparison from what the world calls a friend to what a friend should be, I need to include some verses in the bible.

Proverbs 18:24 A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

John 15:13 Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 27:17 Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

1 Thessalonians 5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build one another up, just as you are doing.

Proverbs 27:9 Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.

1 Corinthians 15:33 Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

I guess what I am trying to get at with all of this, is don't have a friendship just go one way. Encourage just as your friends encourage you. Don't be afraid to reach into there lives just as they reach into yours. I believe a lot of people have forgotten what friendship truly is. If you are in a relationship, your best friend is the person you are with. If you are not in a relationship, don't expect someone who is married to be your best friend, because there wives or husbands need to come first. Men, if you are married, don't look to women to be your friends, it is a dangerous road, be careful. Women the same goes for you, keep men at a distance. It is easy when we focus to much on the opposite sex as a friendship, we lose track of who our spouse, significant other is. Walk carefully with friendship. 

If you are single, be careful and watch that your friends do not bring you down, but lift you up, that they encourage you, that they are your strength when you are weak, do not be afraid of friends, but be afraid of the negative influences in your life. I have found it is better to be without, then with someone that will bring you to ruin. Walk carefully and be cautious of your friends. 

When we take a bad path, our friends should help lead us back to the truth, not encourage us to walk further down that path. A true friend will encourage you, will love you know matter what, will be a friend and encourage you even in the darkest of times. Don't forget friendship goes both ways, but don't encourage a friendship that will lead you to ruin. 

Have a good day.