Counsel #7 — Choosing Friends

Picture: Counsel #7 — Choosing FriendsCR 17.1

Perhaps nothing other than prayer time and Bible study is more likely to impact your relationship with God for good or bad than your choice of friends. Friends have ENORMOUS influence, so choose your close friends carefully.^{[15]https://withallwisdom.org/2020/07/31/choose-your-friends-wisely/}  If you have Christ-like parents that you trust, don’t hesitate to ask them for advice in choosing your friends, even if you haven’t lived at home for a while.CR 17.2

Before choosing someone as a close friend, consider vetting them with this checklist:CR 17.3

Are they a practicing Christian with an authentic, growing relationship with Jesus?

Do they influence you to make positive choices?

Do they exhibit the fruits of the Spirit? (Galatians 5:22, 23)

Are they loyal, while also being able to speak to you honestly when needed?

Do you feel comfortable praying together?

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26 NKJVCR 17.4

“The youth who are in harmony with Christ will choose companions who will help them in right doing, and will shun society that gives no aid in the development of right principles and noble purposes.” Ellen White in The Adventist Home, p. 422CR 17.5

Reflect: Why do you think Jesus chose Peter, James, and John to be His closest friends? How have you chosen your closest friends?CR 17.6