Counsel #7 — Choosing Friends Wisely

Picture: Counsel #7 — Choosing Friends WiselyCLi 9.1

Perhaps nothing other than time with God in prayer and study of the Scripture is more likely to impact your spiritual life for good or ill than your choice of friends.^{[7]https://www.adventist.org/son/no-greater-friend/} Friends have ENORMOUS influence. Choose your close friends carefully. If you have Christian parents, don’t hesitate to consider their guidance in choosing your friends, even if you haven’t lived at home for a while.CLi 9.2

Before choosing someone as a close friend, consider vetting them with this check list:CLi 9.3

Are they a practicing, authentic, growing Christian?

Do they influence you to make positive choices?

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

Are they loyal, while also being able to speak to you honestly about bad choices?

Can you pray together?

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26 NKJVCLi 9.4

“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. 422CLi 9.5

Reflect: It is always good and right to be a good friend to everyone, but it is equally as important to choose your close friends wisely. Do you know the difference between being a friend — or friendly to others, and developing close friendships?CLi 9.6