We’re often quick to call someone a friend or refer to them as ‘my guy,’ but do we truly understand what those words mean? Have you ever paused to reflect on the depth of the words you use daily?
Friendship is a voluntarily formed, long-lasting connection in which individuals come together to fulfil their desires while also valuing the needs and interests of one another. It is often born out of shared experiences.
Friendships grow when both parties find their bond mutually satisfying. But, beneath that lies a deeper, more profound meaning to friendship. In this article, we’ll not only delve into what friendship is but also the deeper significance it holds in our lives.
Bible Verses About Friendship and Trust.
Friendship and trust are deeply rooted in the teachings of the Bible. God is interested in every area of our lives, including friendship. And so, through His word, He teaches us the significance of friendship and trust in our lives and relationships.
Below are some Bible verses about friendship and trust. These verses provide insights into what it means to be a true friend.
Joshua 1:5 – No one will be able to stand against you all the days of your life. As I was with Moses so that I will be with you; I will never leave you nor forsake you.
1 Samuel 23:16 – And Jonathan Saul’s son arose and went to David into the wood, and strengthened his hand in God.
Colossians 3:12-14 – Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.
James 4:11 – Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.
Job 6:14 – Anyone who withholds kindness from a friend forsakes the fear of the Almighty.
John 15:12-15 – My command is this: Love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. You are my friends if you do what I command. I no longer call you servants, because a servant does not know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.
Philippians 2:3 – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility, value others above yourselves.
Romans 12:9-10 – Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honour.
Galatians 6:28 – Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfil the law of Christ.
1 John 4:11 – Dear friends, since God loved us that much, we ought to love each other.
Also read – Loving People More.
Challenging Friendships in the Bible.
Having someone you can call a friend is refreshing. But we cannot deny that even the best of friendships encounter challenges. And friendship in the Bible isn’t left out.
In the Bible, we see friendships that face trials, disagreements, and even betrayal. And this reminds us that there’s no relationship without struggles.
Take, for instance, the friendship between Paul and Barnabas. In Acts 15:36-40, we see how they have a disagreement regarding John Mark. These two Christian friends worked together to spread the gospel but still found themselves at odds. And the result was that they parted ways.
This story reminds us that even the most godly friendships can face challenges. Sometimes, having different perspectives can cause friction between friends. Even when they intend to honour God in their decisions.
Another example is the story of David and Saul. David found himself on the run from someone who should have been a mentor and ally. This story tells us that not all challenging relationships can be fixed. Sometimes, the best option is to create distance while we ask God for wisdom and strength.
Then there’s the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. Honestly, this is one of the most heartbreaking examples. Here we see a friend turning against someone they were supposed to care for.
Jesus knew Judas’s heart and intentions, yet He still washed his feet and treated him with love until the end. Jesus showed us that we ought to exchange grace, even when others let us down.
These examples teach us some lessons. There are friendships that will test our patience, forgiveness, and trust. But they will also push us to grow. You will learn to set boundaries, extend grace, or walk away when necessary. But whatever the case may be, let your experiences lead you to seek God’s guidance. After all, He is the only friend we are certain will never leave us or forsake us, no matter the challenges we face.
Bible Verses About Broken Friendships.
Friendships are valuable, even to God. In James 2:23, Abraham is referred to as a friend of God. This reveals a lot about how God regards friendship. Unfortunately, not all friendships stay forever. While there are numerous factors that can contribute to this, sometimes life simply happens and people just part ways.
The Bible contains several examples of broken friendships. Here are some notable ones:
1. David and Saul (1 Samuel 18-31):
David and King Saul initially had a good relationship, with David even playing the harp to calm Saul’s troubled spirit. But Saul became envious of David’s success and sought to kill David. The once-friendly relationship turned into a bitter enmity, with Saul pursuing David until his death.
2. Jonathan and David’s Separation (1 Samuel 20):
Jonathan and David shared a deep friendship, even though Jonathan’s father, King Saul, sought David’s life. The danger posed by Saul forced Jonathan and David to separate. Though their friendship remained intact, they were separated by circumstances beyond their control, illustrating the pain of a broken fellowship.
3. Demas and Paul (2 Timothy 4:10):
Initially, Paul had mentioned Demas as a fellow worker in the ministry. But later on, Paul told Timothy that Demas had deserted him because he chose worldly pleasure over their shared mission.
Bible Verses About Toxic Friendships.
The Bible doesn’t shy away from warning us about harmful relationships. Toxic friendships lead us astray, drain us emotionally, or pull us away from God’s purpose. Here are some Bible verses about toxic friendship.
Proverbs 22:24-25 – Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.
Proverbs 17:9 – Whoever covers an offence seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: Bad company corrupts good morals.
Proverbs 13:20 – Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
James 4:4 – You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
Proverbs 16:28 – A perverse person stirs up conflict, and gossip separates close friends.
Bible Verses About Fake Friends.
Fake friends have been around for as long as genuine ones. The Bible speaks about people who pretend to be close but have ulterior motives.
Psalm 41:9 – Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
Proverbs 27:5-6 – Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.
Proverbs 20:6 – Many claim to have unfailing love, but a faithful person who can find?
When Friendships End.
Friendships can end for a variety of reasons. Friendships can end due to changes in expectations, conflicts, outgrowing each other, an unequal amount of give and take within a friendship, or external factors like changing jobs or relocation.
As previously stated, you may have to say goodbye to a friend, even though they are Christians with good intentions.
One way to deal with a friendship that has ended is to allow yourself time to grieve. When any friendship ends, it’s common to mourn the loss.
If you feel like grieving, you may want to try some ways to safely release your emotions. You can try journaling, exercising, or watching a movie. In the interest of privacy, it may be best to vent alone or with a trusted counselor, rather than to another friend.
Try to see everything as God’s plan. People will leave, hurt, and even hate you but you can’t change their hearts, only God can. The only thing you can do personally is focus on yourself to ensure your heart is guarded against malice, hate and bitterness.
Bible Verses About Friendships Ending.
Here are some Bible verses about friendship ending;
Psalm 55:12-14 – If an enemy were insulting me, I could endure it; if a foe were rising against me, I could hide. But it is you, a man like myself, my companion, my close friend, with whom I once enjoyed sweet fellowship at the house of God, as we walked about among the worshipers.
Job 19:13-14 – He has alienated my family from me; my acquaintances are completely estranged from me. My relatives have gone away; my closest friends have forgotten me.
Genesis 13:8-9 – So Abram said to Lot, ‘Let’s not have any quarreling between you and me, or between your herders and mine, for we are close relatives. Is not the whole land before you? Let’s part company…’
2 Samuel 15:12 – While Absalom was offering sacrifices, he also sent for Ahithophel the Gilonite, David’s counsellor, to come from Giloh, his hometown. And so the conspiracy gained strength, and Absalom’s following kept on increasing.
Matthew 26:48-50 – Now the betrayer had arranged a signal with them: ‘The one I kiss is the man; arrest him.’ Going at once to Jesus, Judas said, ‘Greetings, Rabbi!’ and kissed him. Jesus replied, ‘Do what you came for, friend.’ Then the men stepped forward, seized Jesus, and arrested him.
Bible Verses About Friends Leaving.
Even Jesus experienced the pain of friends leaving Him in His darkest hour. The Bible reminds us that human relationships can be fragile. But, God remains constant, even when people walk away.
2 Timothy 4:16 – At my first defence, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
Psalm 41:9 – Even my close friend, someone I trusted, one who shared my bread, has turned against me.
John 6:66 – From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him.
Mark 14:50-52 – Then everyone deserted him and fled. A young man, wearing nothing but a linen garment, was following Jesus. When they seized him, he fled naked, leaving his garment behind.
Proverbs 19:4 – Wealth attracts many friends, but even the closest friend of the poor person deserts them.
FAQ Section.
– What verses in the Bible talk about friendship?
- Proverbs 18:24 – One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Proverbs 27:17 – As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.
- John 15:13 – Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.
- Proverbs 17:17 – A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.
What does the Bible say about ending friendships?
Not every friendship is meant to last forever. Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 tells us that there is a season for everything. In the same way, some people are in your life for a season, and that’s okay.
That said, there are some friends that you will have to let go. Especially if it doesn’t align with God’s principles of good friendship or it doesn’t contribute positively to your spiritual and personal growth. Read Proverbs 22:24-25 and 2 Timothy 3:1-5.
Letting go of a friendship doesn’t mean you hate the person. Sometimes, it’s just best to love someone from a distance, while praying for them.
What does the Bible say about cutting ties with friends?
Well, it is very clear in the message. The Bible tells us severally that not all friendships are meant to last. When a friendship consistently leads to negativity, or conflict, or pulls us away from God, it may be necessary to step back.
In Titus 3:10 Paul advises, “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.”
This doesn’t mean we should act out of anger or resentment but rather with wisdom and grace. Letting go of a friendship should be done prayerfully, with love and forgiveness, even if distance is needed. Ultimately, our relationships should reflect God’s love and encourage us to grow in faith.
Conclusion
Friendship is one of God’s gifts to man. Through the teachings of the Bible we understand how to build and sustain meaningful relationships, the importance of friendship and trust, handle challenging friendships, and when to let a friendship end.
Some relationships are meant for a season, and parting ways doesn’t always mean they are bad people.
While we try to keep friendship with men, it is important to remember that God is our greatest and steadfast friend. Human relationships may last only for a season, but He is constant, faithful, and ever-present. And no matter what happens in our relationships with people, we can always rely on Him for comfort, guidance, and love.
