Discover the Cain And Abel Summary from the Scriptures. Abel and Cain are known to be the first two brothers of the first family in history. They were the first and second sons of Adam and Eve. History holds it that Cain was a farmer while Abel was a skilled shepherd who took care of the family’s animals. One day, Cain and Abel made sacrifices to the Lord as a way of worshiping and thanking Him. For this purpose, Cain brought some of the produce from the land while Abel brought the firstborn of his sheep. The Bible tells us that God showed favor to Abel’s sacrifice because it was an offering that came from the best that Abel had to give. Also, it was made out of Abel’s love and reverence for God.
God’s favor on Abel made Cain very angry and jealous to the point of planning evil against him. Cain lured Abel into the fields and killed him with a rock. The Lord God Almighty then called Cain asking what had happened to his brother Abel, but Cain lied about killing his brother Abel, an act which called down God’s punishment on him. God’s harsh punishment on Cain was that he would no longer be able to grow crops on his land. However, God did not promise Cain that no one would kill him. As children of God through Christ, there is much to learn from the story of these two brothers.
Cain And Abel Summary
What The Bible Says About Abel
Abel’s name means “a breath, or vanity, a grassy place, a meadow.” Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve. He was killed by his brother Cain who was filled with jealousy and bitterness about the favor Abel had gained before God (Genesis 4:1-16). Adam, their father, trained them in the duty of worshipping God. In the course of time (marg. “at the end of days“, i.e., probably on the Sabbath) each of the brothers offered up to God of the first fruits of his labors. Cain who was a farmer offered the fruits of the field; Abel who was a shepherd offered the firstlings of his flock. Genesis 4:3-5 says, “The Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering, but unto Cain and his offering he had not respect.” Following this, Cain was angry with his brother and conceived the evil of putting him to death.
The New Testament of the Bible features several references to Abel. Jesus Christ speaks of him as “righteous” ( Matthew 23:35 ). However, “the blood of sprinkling” is said to speak “better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24); that is the blood of Jesus Christ is the reality of which the blood of the offering made by Abel was only the type. It is important to understand that this comparison is between the sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ and that offered by Abel, and not between the blood of Jesus Christ calling for mercy and the blood of the murdered Abel calling for vengeance. We also made to understand in Hebrews 11:4 that “Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Abel’s sacrifice was one made “by faith;” this faith rested in God Almighty, as the Creator, Provider, and Redeemer. But Cain’s sacrifice had no such reference.
Important things that we know about Abel
Shepherd: Abel was a keeper of sheep.
Worshipper: The Bible tells us that Abel’s sacrifice as a way of thanking God and worshipping Him was accepted.
Righteous Man: Our Savior referred to Abel as a righteous man obviously due to his right mindset and reverence for God Almighty.
Martyr: Abel is regarded as the first martyr (Matthew 23:35), whose blood cried for vengeance (Genesis 4:10; compare Revelation 6:9,10) and brought despair (Genesis 4:13), whereas that of Jesus Christ appeals to God for forgiveness and speaks peace (Hebrews 12:24) and is preferred before Abel’s.
What The Bible Says About Cain
Cain’s name means “a possession; a spear.” He is the first-born son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4). Cain became a tiller of the ground, as his brother Abel followed the pursuits of pastoral life. Cain was “a sullen, self-willed, haughty, vindictive man; wanting the religious element in his character, and defiant even in his attitude towards God.” It so came to pass “in process of time” (marg. “at the end of days“), that is, probably on the Sabbath, that both brothers presented their sacrifice in an act of worship and thanksgiving to the Lord God Almighty. The Scriptures tell us that Abel’s offering was of the “firstlings of his flock and of the fat,” while Cain’s was “of the fruit of the ground.” Behold, Abel’s sacrifice was “more pleasing” (Hebrews 11:4) than Cain’s, and was accepted by God Almighty. Following this, Cain was “very wroth,” and conceived evil.
Cain cherished feelings of murderous hatred against his own brother and was at length guilty of the desperate outrage of putting him to death (1 John 3:12). As a result, Cain was expelled from Eden, and henceforth led the life of an exile. Also, he was bearing upon him some mark which God had set upon him in answer to his own cry for mercy, so that thereby he might be protected from the wrath of his fellow-men; or it may be that God gave him this sign to assure him that he will not be slain (Genesis 4:15). Doomed to be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth, he went forth into the “land of Nod“, that is, the land of “exile,” which is said to have been in the “east of Eden,” and there he built a city which he named after his son, Enoch.
Things that we know about Cain
He worshiped in self-will
He got angry with God
Cain refused to bring a sin offering
Cain murdered his brother
He became a vagabond
Important Story Lessons To Keep
We should offer to God the best of ourselves and our belongings
Our offerings and worships should always be driven by love
We should keep God’s commands
We should love and treat each other well so as to avoid God’s wrath
Cain And Abel Summary
Genesis 4:4 – “Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering;“
Genesis 4:11 – “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.”
Hebrews 11:4 – “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
Genesis 4:16 – “Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
Genesis 4:7 – “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:26 – “To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.”
Group 1 – Cain And Abel Summary
Genesis 4:15 – “So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.”
Genesis 4:8 – “Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.“
Genesis 4:1 – “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.”“
1 John 3:12 – “not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”
Genesis 4:14 – “Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
Jude 1:11 – “Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.“
Group 2 – Cain And Abel Summary
Genesis 4:12 – “When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.”
Genesis 4:24 – “If Cain is avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
Genesis 4:22 – “As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.“
Genesis 4:25 – Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
Genesis 4:16-17 – “Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.”
Group 3 – Cain And Abel Summary
Genesis 4:9 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 5:4 – “Then the days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he had other sons and daughters.”
Matthew 23:35 – “so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.“
Genesis 4:6-7 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:23 – “Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me;“
Group 4 – Cain And Abel Summary
Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Genesis 4:3 – “So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground.”
Genesis 4:2 – “Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”
Hebrews 12:24 – “and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.“
Luke 11:51 – “from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.’“
Discover the Cain And Abel Message. Abel and Cain are known to be the first two brothers of the first family in history. They were the first and second sons of Adam and Eve. History holds it that Cain was a farmer while Abel was a skilled shepherd who took care of the family’s animals. One day, Cain and Abel made sacrifices to the Lord as a way of worshiping and thanking Him. For this purpose, Cain brought some of the produce from the land while Abel brought the firstborn of his sheep. The Bible tells us that God showed favor to Abel’s sacrifice because it was an offering that came from the best that Abel had to give. Also, it was made out of Abel’s love and reverence for God.
God’s favor on Abel made Cain very angry and jealous to the point of planning evil against him. Cain lured Abel into the fields and killed him with a rock. The Lord God Almighty then called Cain asking what had happened to his brother Abel, but Cain lied about killing his brother Abel, an act which called down God’s punishment on him. God’s harsh punishment on Cain was that he would no longer be able to grow crops on his land. However, God did not promise Cain that no one would kill him. As children of God through Christ, there is much to learn from the story of these two brothers.
Cain And Abel Message
What The Bible Says About Abel
Abel’s name means “a breath, or vanity, a grassy place, a meadow.” Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve. He was killed by his brother Cain who was filled with jealousy and bitterness about the favor Abel had gained before God (Genesis 4:1-16). Adam, their father, trained them in the duty of worshipping God. In the course of time (marg. “at the end of days“, i.e., probably on the Sabbath) each of the brothers offered up to God of the first fruits of his labors. Cain who was a farmer offered the fruits of the field; Abel who was a shepherd offered the firstlings of his flock. Genesis 4:3-5 says, “The Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering, but unto Cain and his offering he had not respect.” Following this, Cain was angry with his brother and conceived the evil of putting him to death.
The New Testament of the Bible features several references to Abel. Jesus Christ speaks of him as “righteous” ( Matthew 23:35 ). However, “the blood of sprinkling” is said to speak “better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24); that is the blood of Jesus Christ is the reality of which the blood of the offering made by Abel was only the type. It is important to understand that this comparison is between the sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ and that offered by Abel, and not between the blood of Jesus Christ calling for mercy and the blood of the murdered Abel calling for vengeance. We also made to understand in Hebrews 11:4 that “Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Abel’s sacrifice was one made “by faith;” this faith rested in God Almighty, as the Creator, Provider, and Redeemer. But Cain’s sacrifice had no such reference.
Important things that we know about Abel
Shepherd: Abel was a keeper of sheep.
Worshipper: The Bible tells us that Abel’s sacrifice as a way of thanking God and worshipping Him was accepted.
Righteous Man: Our Savior referred to Abel as a righteous man obviously due to his right mindset and reverence for God Almighty.
Martyr: Abel is regarded as the first martyr (Matthew 23:35), whose blood cried for vengeance (Genesis 4:10; compare Revelation 6:9,10) and brought despair (Genesis 4:13), whereas that of Jesus Christ appeals to God for forgiveness and speaks peace (Hebrews 12:24) and is preferred before Abel’s.
What The Bible Says About Cain
Cain’s name means “a possession; a spear.” He is the first-born son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4). Cain became a tiller of the ground, as his brother Abel followed the pursuits of pastoral life. Cain was “a sullen, self-willed, haughty, vindictive man; wanting the religious element in his character, and defiant even in his attitude towards God.” It so came to pass “in process of time” (marg. “at the end of days“), that is, probably on the Sabbath, that both brothers presented their sacrifice in an act of worship and thanksgiving to the Lord God Almighty. The Scriptures tell us that Abel’s offering was of the “firstlings of his flock and of the fat,” while Cain’s was “of the fruit of the ground.” Behold, Abel’s sacrifice was “more pleasing” (Hebrews 11:4) than Cain’s, and was accepted by God Almighty. Following this, Cain was “very wroth,” and conceived evil.
Cain cherished feelings of murderous hatred against his own brother and was at length guilty of the desperate outrage of putting him to death (1 John 3:12). As a result, Cain was expelled from Eden, and henceforth led the life of an exile. Also, he was bearing upon him some mark which God had set upon him in answer to his own cry for mercy, so that thereby he might be protected from the wrath of his fellow-men; or it may be that God gave him this sign to assure him that he will not be slain (Genesis 4:15). Doomed to be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth, he went forth into the “land of Nod“, that is, the land of “exile,” which is said to have been in the “east of Eden,” and there he built a city which he named after his son, Enoch.
Things that we know about Cain
He worshiped in self-will
He got angry with God
Cain refused to bring a sin offering
Cain murdered his brother
He became a vagabond
Important Story Lessons To Keep
We should offer to God the best of ourselves and our belongings
Our offerings and worships should always be driven by love
We should keep God’s commands
We should love and treat each other well so as to avoid God’s wrath
Cain And Abel Message
Genesis 4:4 – “Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering;“
Genesis 4:11 – “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.”
Hebrews 11:4 – “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
Genesis 4:16 – “Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
Genesis 4:7 – “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:26 – “To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.”
Group 1 – Cain And Abel Message
Genesis 4:15 – “So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.”
Genesis 4:8 – “Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.“
Genesis 4:1 – “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.”“
1 John 3:12 – “not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”
Genesis 4:14 – “Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
Jude 1:11 – “Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.“
Group 2 – Cain And Abel Message
Genesis 4:12 – “When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.”
Genesis 4:24 – “If Cain is avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
Genesis 4:22 – “As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.“
Genesis 4:9 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 5:4 – “Then the days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he had other sons and daughters.”
Matthew 23:35 – “so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.“
Group 3 – Cain And Abel Message
Genesis 4:2 – “Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”
Hebrews 12:24 – “and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.“
Luke 11:51 – “from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.’“
Genesis 4:25 – Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
Genesis 4:16-17 – “Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.”
Group 4 – Cain And Abel Message
Genesis 4:6-7 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:23 – “Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me;“
Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Genesis 4:3 – “So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground.”
Discover the Cain And Abel Story as well as moral lessons behind it. Abel and Cain are known to be the first two brothers of the first family in history. They were the first and second sons of Adam and Eve. History holds it that Cain was a farmer while Abel was a skilled shepherd who took care of the family’s animals. One day, Cain and Abel made sacrifices to the Lord as a way of worshiping and thanking Him. For this purpose, Cain brought some of the produce from the land while Abel brought the firstborn of his sheep. The Bible tells us that God showed favor to Abel’s sacrifice because it was an offering that came from the best that Abel had to give. Also, it was made out of Abel’s love and reverence for God.
God’s favor on Abel made Cain very angry and jealous to the point of planning evil against him. Cain lured Abel into the fields and killed him with a rock. The Lord God Almighty then called Cain asking what had happened to his brother Abel, but Cain lied about killing his brother Abel, an act which called down God’s punishment on him. God’s harsh punishment on Cain was that he would no longer be able to grow crops on his land. However, God did not promise Cain that no one would kill him. As children of God through Christ, there is much to learn from the story of these two brothers.
Cain And Abel Story
What The Bible Says About Abel
Abel’s name means “a breath, or vanity, a grassy place, a meadow.” Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve. He was killed by his brother Cain who was filled with jealousy and bitterness about the favor Abel had gained before God (Genesis 4:1-16). Adam, their father, trained them in the duty of worshipping God. In the course of time (marg. “at the end of days“, i.e., probably on the Sabbath) each of the brothers offered up to God of the first fruits of his labors. Cain who was a farmer offered the fruits of the field; Abel who was a shepherd offered the firstlings of his flock. Genesis 4:3-5 says, “The Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering, but unto Cain and his offering he had not respect.” Following this, Cain was angry with his brother and conceived the evil of putting him to death.
The New Testament of the Bible features several references to Abel. Jesus Christ speaks of him as “righteous” ( Matthew 23:35 ). However, “the blood of sprinkling” is said to speak “better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24); that is the blood of Jesus Christ is the reality of which the blood of the offering made by Abel was only the type. It is important to understand that this comparison is between the sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ and that offered by Abel, and not between the blood of Jesus Christ calling for mercy and the blood of the murdered Abel calling for vengeance. We also made to understand in Hebrews 11:4 that “Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Abel’s sacrifice was one made “by faith;” this faith rested in God Almighty, as the Creator, Provider, and Redeemer. But Cain’s sacrifice had no such reference.
Important things that we know about Abel
Shepherd: Abel was a keeper of sheep.
Worshipper: The Bible tells us that Abel’s sacrifice as a way of thanking God and worshipping Him was accepted.
Righteous Man: Our Savior referred to Abel as a righteous man obviously due to his right mindset and reverence for God Almighty.
Martyr: Abel is regarded as the first martyr (Matthew 23:35), whose blood cried for vengeance (Genesis 4:10; compare Revelation 6:9,10) and brought despair (Genesis 4:13), whereas that of Jesus Christ appeals to God for forgiveness and speaks peace (Hebrews 12:24) and is preferred before Abel’s.
What The Bible Says About Cain
Cain’s name means “a possession; a spear.” He is the first-born son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4). Cain became a tiller of the ground, as his brother Abel followed the pursuits of pastoral life. Cain was “a sullen, self-willed, haughty, vindictive man; wanting the religious element in his character, and defiant even in his attitude towards God.” It so came to pass “in process of time” (marg. “at the end of days“), that is, probably on the Sabbath, that both brothers presented their sacrifice in an act of worship and thanksgiving to the Lord God Almighty. The Scriptures tell us that Abel’s offering was of the “firstlings of his flock and of the fat,” while Cain’s was “of the fruit of the ground.” Behold, Abel’s sacrifice was “more pleasing” (Hebrews 11:4) than Cain’s, and was accepted by God Almighty. Following this, Cain was “very wroth,” and conceived evil.
Cain cherished feelings of murderous hatred against his own brother and was at length guilty of the desperate outrage of putting him to death (1 John 3:12). As a result, Cain was expelled from Eden, and henceforth led the life of an exile. Also, he was bearing upon him some mark which God had set upon him in answer to his own cry for mercy, so that thereby he might be protected from the wrath of his fellow-men; or it may be that God gave him this sign to assure him that he will not be slain (Genesis 4:15). Doomed to be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth, he went forth into the “land of Nod“, that is, the land of “exile,” which is said to have been in the “east of Eden,” and there he built a city which he named after his son, Enoch.
Things that we know about Cain
He worshiped in self-will
He got angry with God
Cain refused to bring a sin offering
Cain murdered his brother
He became a vagabond
Important Story Lessons To Keep
We should offer to God the best of ourselves and our belongings
Our offerings and worships should always be driven by love
We should keep God’s commands
We should love and treat each other well so as to avoid God’s wrath
Cain And Abel Story
Genesis 4:4 – “Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering;“
Genesis 4:11 – “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.”
Hebrews 11:4 – “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
Genesis 4:15 – “So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.”
Genesis 4:8 – “Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.“
Genesis 4:1 – “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.”“
Group 1 – Cain And Abel Story
Genesis 4:16 – “Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
Genesis 4:7 – “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:26 – “To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.”
1 John 3:12 – “not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”
Genesis 4:14 – “Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
Jude 1:11 – “Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.“
Group 2 – Cain And Abel Story
Genesis 4:9 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 5:4 – “Then the days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he had other sons and daughters.”
Matthew 23:35 – “so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.“
Genesis 4:12 – “When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.”
Genesis 4:24 – “If Cain is avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
Genesis 4:22 – “As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.“
Group 3 – Cain And Abel Story
Genesis 4:25 – Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
Genesis 4:16-17 – “Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.”
Genesis 4:2 – “Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”
Hebrews 12:24 – “and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.“
Luke 11:51 – “from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.’“
Group 4 – Cain And Abel Story
Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Genesis 4:3 – “So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground.”
Genesis 4:6-7 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:23 – “Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me;“
What Does The Bible Say About Abel And Cain? Abel and Cain are known to be the first two brothers of the first family in history. They were the first and second sons of Adam and Eve. History holds it that Cain was a farmer while Abel was a skilled shepherd who took care of the family’s animals. One day, Cain and Abel made sacrifices to the Lord as a way of worshiping and thanking Him. For this purpose, Cain brought some of the produce from the land while Abel brought the firstborn of his sheep. The Bible tells us that God showed favor to Abel’s sacrifice because it was an offering that came from the best that Abel had to give. Also, it was made out of Abel’s love and reverence for God.
God’s favor on Abel made Cain very angry and jealous to the point of planning evil against him. Cain lured Abel into the fields and killed him with a rock. The Lord God Almighty then called Cain asking what had happened to his brother Abel, but Cain lied about killing his brother Abel, an act which called down God’s punishment on him. God’s harsh punishment on Cain was that he would no longer be able to grow crops on his land. However, God did not promise Cain that no one would kill him. As children of God through Christ, there is much to learn from the story of these two brothers.
What Does The Bible Say About Abel And Cain?
What The Bible Says About Abel
Abel’s name means “a breath, or vanity, a grassy place, a meadow.” Abel is the second son of Adam and Eve. He was killed by his brother Cain who was filled with jealousy and bitterness about the favor Abel had gained before God (Genesis 4:1-16). Adam, their father, trained them in the duty of worshipping God. In the course of time (marg. “at the end of days“, i.e., probably on the Sabbath) each of the brothers offered up to God of the first fruits of his labors. Cain who was a farmer offered the fruits of the field; Abel who was a shepherd offered the firstlings of his flock. Genesis 4:3-5 says, “The Lord had respect unto Abel and his offering, but unto Cain and his offering he had not respect.” Following this, Cain was angry with his brother and conceived the evil of putting him to death.
The New Testament of the Bible features several references to Abel. Jesus Christ speaks of him as “righteous” ( Matthew 23:35 ). However, “the blood of sprinkling” is said to speak “better things than that of Abel” (Hebrews 12:24); that is the blood of Jesus Christ is the reality of which the blood of the offering made by Abel was only the type. It is important to understand that this comparison is between the sacrifice offered by Jesus Christ and that offered by Abel, and not between the blood of Jesus Christ calling for mercy and the blood of the murdered Abel calling for vengeance. We also made to understand in Hebrews 11:4 that “Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” Abel’s sacrifice was one made “by faith;” this faith rested in God Almighty, as the Creator, Provider, and Redeemer. But Cain’s sacrifice had no such reference.
Important things that we know about Abel
Shepherd: Abel was a keeper of sheep.
Worshipper: The Bible tells us that Abel’s sacrifice as a way of thanking God and worshipping Him was accepted.
Righteous Man: Our Savior referred to Abel as a righteous man obviously due to his right mindset and reverence for God Almighty.
Martyr: Abel is regarded as the first martyr (Matthew 23:35), whose blood cried for vengeance (Genesis 4:10; compare Revelation 6:9,10) and brought despair (Genesis 4:13), whereas that of Jesus Christ appeals to God for forgiveness and speaks peace (Hebrews 12:24) and is preferred before Abel’s.
What The Bible Says About Cain
Cain’s name means “a possession; a spear.” He is the first-born son of Adam and Eve (Genesis 4). Cain became a tiller of the ground, as his brother Abel followed the pursuits of pastoral life. Cain was “a sullen, self-willed, haughty, vindictive man; wanting the religious element in his character, and defiant even in his attitude towards God.” It so came to pass “in process of time” (marg. “at the end of days“), that is, probably on the Sabbath, that both brothers presented their sacrifice in an act of worship and thanksgiving to the Lord God Almighty. The Scriptures tell us that Abel’s offering was of the “firstlings of his flock and of the fat,” while Cain’s was “of the fruit of the ground.” Behold, Abel’s sacrifice was “more pleasing” (Hebrews 11:4) than Cain’s, and was accepted by God Almighty. Following this, Cain was “very wroth,” and conceived evil.
Cain cherished feelings of murderous hatred against his own brother and was at length guilty of the desperate outrage of putting him to death (1 John 3:12). As a result, Cain was expelled from Eden, and henceforth led the life of an exile. Also, he was bearing upon him some mark which God had set upon him in answer to his own cry for mercy, so that thereby he might be protected from the wrath of his fellow-men; or it may be that God gave him this sign to assure him that he will not be slain (Genesis 4:15). Doomed to be a fugitive and a wanderer in the earth, he went forth into the “land of Nod“, that is, the land of “exile,” which is said to have been in the “east of Eden,” and there he built a city which he named after his son, Enoch.
Things that we know about Cain
He worshiped in self-will
He got angry with God
Cain refused to bring a sin offering
Cain murdered his brother
He became a vagabond
Important Story Lessons To Keep
We should offer to God the best of ourselves and our belongings
Our offerings and worships should always be driven by love
We should keep God’s commands
We should love and treat each other well so as to avoid God’s wrath
What Does The Bible Say About Abel And Cain?
Genesis 4:4 – “Abel, on his part also brought of the firstlings of his flock and of their fat portions. And the Lord had regard for Abel and for his offering;“
Genesis 4:11 – “Now you are cursed from the ground, which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s blood from your hand.”
Hebrews 11:4 – “By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks.”
Genesis 4:15 – “So the Lord said to him, “Therefore whoever kills Cain, vengeance will be taken on him sevenfold.” And the Lord appointed a sign for Cain, so that no one finding him would slay him.”
Genesis 4:8 – “Cain told Abel his brother. And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.“
Genesis 4:1 – “Now the man had relations with his wife Eve, and she conceived and gave birth to Cain, and she said, “I have gotten a manchild with the help of the Lord.”“
Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Abel And Cain
Genesis 4:16 – “Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”
Genesis 4:7 – “If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:26 – “To Seth, to him also a son was born; and he called his name Enosh. Then men began to call upon the name of the Lord.”
1 John 3:12 – “not as Cain, who was of the evil one and slew his brother. And for what reason did he slay him? Because his deeds were evil, and his brother’s were righteous.”
Genesis 4:14 – “Behold, You have driven me this day from the face of the ground; and from Your face I will be hidden, and I will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth, and whoever finds me will kill me.”
Jude 1:11 – “Woe to them! For they have gone the way of Cain, and for pay they have rushed headlong into the error of Balaam, and perished in the rebellion of Korah.“
Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Abel And Cain
Genesis 4:9 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Where is Abel your brother?” And he said, “I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?”
Genesis 5:4 – “Then the days of Adam after he became the father of Seth were eight hundred years, and he had other sons and daughters.”
Matthew 23:35 – “so that upon you may fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar.“
Genesis 4:12 – “When you cultivate the ground, it will no longer yield its strength to you; you will be a vagrant and a wanderer on the earth.”
Genesis 4:24 – “If Cain is avenged sevenfold, Then Lamech seventy-sevenfold.”
Genesis 4:22 – “As for Zillah, she also gave birth to Tubal-cain, the forger of all implements of bronze and iron; and the sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.“
Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Abel And Cain
Genesis 4:2 – “Again, she gave birth to his brother Abel. And Abel was a keeper of flocks, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.”
Hebrews 12:24 – “and to Jesus, the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood, which speaks better than the blood of Abel.“
Luke 11:51 – “from the blood of Abel to the blood of Zechariah, who was killed between the altar and the house of God; yes, I tell you, it shall be charged against this generation.’“
Genesis 4:25 – Adam had relations with his wife again; and she gave birth to a son, and named him Seth, for, she said, “God has appointed me another offspring in place of Abel, for Cain killed him.”
Genesis 4:16-17 – “Then Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and settled in the land of Nod, east of Eden. Cain had relations with his wife and she conceived, and gave birth to Enoch; and he built a city, and called the name of the city Enoch, after the name of his son.”
Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Abel And Cain
Genesis 4:6-7 – Then the Lord said to Cain, “Why are you angry? And why has your countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you must master it.”
Genesis 4:23 – “Lamech said to his wives, “Adah and Zillah, Listen to my voice, You wives of Lamech, Give heed to my speech, For I have killed a man for wounding me; And a boy for striking me;“
Ephesians 4:31-32 – “Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving each other, just as God in Christ also has forgiven you.”
Genesis 4:3 – “So it came about in the course of time that Cain brought an offering to the Lord of the fruit of the ground.”
What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends? Negative/Toxic/Disloyal/Bad/fake friends are out just to use you for what they can get out of you. They are liars or hypocrites in their ways. They pretend to be your friends but in their hearts, they are not. Wisdom calls on you to stop letting them use you. As a matter of fact, you should avoid putting your trust in them for they’ll only hurt your feelings and rejoice about their actions in your absence. However, you should be courteous and even “agape” love them. Agape is the Greek word for God’s love for sinners. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved (agape) the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Likewise, Jesus Christ commanded us to love (agape) our enemies.
Agape is not a feeling. In simple terms, it is a decision to do good to all – even to those who use you. In the same light, Matthew 5:44-45 reads, “But I say to you, love (agape) your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” With agape, we do not hurt back when others hurt us. Rather, we are kind and even helpful as called for in Matthew 5:38-45. On the other hand, “Phileo” love is the kind of love that we have towards our fellow Christians. Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love (phileo)…”
What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends?
Jesus Christ commands us to love and treat our negative/toxic/disloyal friends well. By so doing, we distinguish ourselves as children of the Most High. However, in being good to them, we should avoid putting in our trust and getting too emotionally close as they’ll only end up hurting our feelings. However, for a genuine friendship, Romans 12:10 points to Phileo love, which is a tender, heartfelt love of companionship. This is the brotherly love that siblings in a family have for each other. Human beings were created to be social creatures. This is to say that we are most comfortable when we have family, friends, and acquaintances. Genuine friendship is one of the most important elements in a contented and fulfilled life. Generally, those who have close and reliable friends tend to be happy and well-adjusted.
However, those who call themselves our friends may cause us grief, hardship, and even lead us into sin. While tolerance, love, and forgiveness are important in every friendship relationship, it is also important to know when such relationships reach the boundary. On the positive side, friends can bring comfort and help us when we are in trouble, as when Barzillai the Gileadite consoled David when he was being hunted by Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27–29) or when Jephthah’s daughter’s friends consoled her before her death (Judges 11:37-38). A friend may also rebuke in love, thereby proving more faithful than a hypocritical flatterer (Proverbs 27:6). One of the greatest Biblical examples of friendship is that which existed between David and Johnathan, son of King Saul. The Bible tells us that Johnathan’s loyalty to his friend, David, exceeded that to his own father and his own ambitions (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:14-17).
What The Scriptures Say
While the Bible does not encourage us to abandon our friends, it is important to keep watch so that friends won’t lead us astray from the Will of God. That is, friendship can have its negative aspects as well. It is without a doubt that friends can lead us into sin, as when Jonadab persuades Amnon to rape his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-6). Behold, a friend can lead us astray in regard to our faith, as it was the case in Israel, leading others to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). Note that in those days, such an act in Israel was punishable by death. Also, even if our friends do not lead us astray, they can provide false comfort and bad advice, as Job’s friends did, making his suffering worse and displeasing the Lord God Almighty (Job 2:11-13, 6:14-27, 42:7-9).
In the same light, friends can as well prove false, pretending affection for their own egoistic motives, and deserting us when our friendship no longer benefits them in any way (Psalm 55:12-14; Proverbs 19:4, 6-7). However, friendship can be broken down through gossip (Proverbs 16:28) or grudges (Proverbs 17:9). While showing love for everyone, we should choose our friends carefully, as Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Proverbs 1:10-19 and 4:14-19 warns about friends and tells us how we should choose them. As Christians, we are not to associate with those who have refused to turn away from their evil ways and who entice us to join them in doing wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” seems to be. Those whose “feet rush to sin” should be avoided. A Christian’s choice should be to follow the “path of the righteous.”
More on what the Scriptures say
The Scriptures give us the importance and qualities of a true friend. Genuine friendship is God’s gift for us. There is much joy that comes with keeping company with friends. Without friends, life becomes a lonely, boring, and bitter road to walk all alone. However, not all friends are worth our time and trust. While others are worth dying to keep, others are there to lead us into regret, sorrow, bitterness, and tears. Such people are more likely to bring our downfall and ruin our relationship with God. This creates the need for everyone to learn the qualities of a genuine or true friend. Without these qualities at hand, we are more likely to roam around with the wrong people in the name of friends. It is at this point that God intervenes out of his love for us.
Truth be told, God is concerned about the people keeping us company. That’s why He revealed the Best Bible Verses On Friends that are full of wisdom and knowledge on who is worth taking as a companion and offering your trust. Without these, the process of surrounding ourselves with true friends will be a nightmare. The whole aspect of genuine friendship might feel daunting or unnecessary for those who consider themselves friendly to all. Whatever the case, you must be honest to yourself and have a clear look into your friendship relationships. After looking, you must decide whether to maintain them or let them go. Deciding early on who is a true friend and who is not a true friend will save you from many sorrows. For deciding, you must first know for sure which friendship is worth keeping and which you should turn your back on.
Biblical qualities of a good friend to consider in choosing your companions
1. True friends love at all times – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Love is a powerful language of the heart that encourages, excites, and gives meaning and fun to friendship relationships. These priceless treasures are the desires of many but a reality to few. Loving friendships are rare these days as many are out for their personal interests and profits. Such ego creates room for friendship without love. And behold, friendship without love is not different from tunnels without light at the end and ships without sails. Genuine love is what holds and binds true friendship together, even during uncertain and hard times. It is so powerful that it overcomes the challenges of life and maintains its participants together. Unfortunately, not all friends are loving – some friends only stick around when things are going well. Immediately things turn the other way round, such friends disappear.
As pointed out by the best Bible verses about friendship, friends that are out for their personal interest will say the right words at the right time and they will exhibit the qualities of a loving friend as long as things keep moving well, and immediately you encounter hard times and can no longer meet their expectations and demands, their love becomes a thing of the past. Always keep in mind that a good friend will love you in all circumstances and at all times. Genuine friends are not out for opportunities to excuse themselves from expressing their love to you. They are rather more into looking for opportunities to further express their love to you. Genuine love will always pass the test of time and trials. Loyal and loving friends will succeed in your test and won’t remain angry for long but find ways to improve on the relationship.
2. Good friends respect you and your qualities – Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” A good friend is one who respects your personality and values your qualities. Such a friend won’t disregard your feelings and treat them as if they did not matter. It is advisable not to lower your standards for the accommodation of friends that do not respect you. Such friends are more likely to lead you astray and kill the ethical values within you. If a friend is not willing to respect you, then it is as good as saying goodbye to the friendship. Respect is one of the best qualities of a good friend.
3. Good friends exercise wisdom – Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” From the Bible verses on Friendship, we are advised to walk with the wise so that we can in-turn become wise or grow in wisdom. Embracing the companion of fools will soon lead you into sorrow and long lasting regrets. It is with this in mind that we say that good friendship exercises wisdom. Although this Biblical verse is not a call for you to indiscriminately disassociate yourself from friends you perceive to lack knowledge, it is a call for you to take precautions not to follow them into their unwise plans. However, you can help by cultivating some sound value into their lives. If they are willing to learn and move ahead, then we’ll say the relationship is excising wisdom. It is worth continuing if they are willing to learn from their mistakes.
4. Creditable friends inspire strong values in you – 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” It is without doubt that commendable friends inspire and promote the growth of strong values within you. There is major and wise proverb that says “You and known by the friends that you keep“. This verse from Apostle Paul comes in to reinforce the same wisdom. Good friendship inspires and brings out the best from you while bad friendship corrupts the good morals within you. Go for virtues friends who will instill sound values in you. Going the other way round will definitely lead to your downfall in one way or the other.
5. True Friends are supportive and reliable – Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24 – “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Brethren, let no one deceive you that true friendship does not come with reliability and support. It is one of the most important qualities of a good friend. Bible verses about friendship point to the fact that good friendships create bonds that go deeper than brotherly blood relationships. Loyal friends will always be by your side to support and encourage you in hard times. In their supportive nature, they’ll gracefully correct you when you are wrong. They’ll also popup to congratulate you for your achievements.
6. Good friends make sacrifices for you – John 15:13
John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” A true or genuine friend is one who knows the importance of sacrifices in strengthening a relationship to last. The Bible verses on friendship point Jesus Christ as the greatest example of a friend. Sacrifice is a fundamental quality for a genuine friendship relationship that will last long. Friendships without sacrifices are those that come without commitment. It is without doubt that such relationships won’t last long. In 1 Samuel 18:4, we read about the genuine friendship that existed between David and Jonathan, the King’s son. The king hated David and had made plans to kill him, but his son, Jonathan, out of the love and respect he had for his friendship with David did not hesitate to endanger his life by informing David. Christ did even more for us.
7. Honorable friends preserve secrets and stay away from gossips – Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” An honorable friend is one who knows how to keep secrets. Such a person won’t engage into gossips to disclose what he/she knows about you. A friend who gossips is like a thorn in the flesh of those keeping him/her as their companion. In such cases, the friendship relationship becomes a horrible nightmare. Among the qualities of a good friend, the ability to keep secrets is one that can’t be omitted. This is highly supported by the Bible verses on friendship. Note that praiseworthy friends do not gossip. Such friend are out to speak facts and only facts. If they are not sure about something, they maintain their silence. In addition, they also remain silent about the things which you do not want the public to know.
8. Faithful friends put up with our shortcomings and support us – Galatians 6:2
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Most friendship relationships have their own share of troubles. That is, they also face their own ups and downs. That’s why you should not take trouble in a relationship as an excuse to say goodbye. You have to learn and practice tolerance as well as forgiveness. The notions of tolerance and forgiveness can’t be omitted from our list of qualities of a good friend. At times troubles come not to destroy the relationship but to strengthen it in one way or the other. In most cases, it has been noticed that after a period of ups and downs in a relationship, the individuals become more committed and reassured of their sincerity.
Ways To Recognize Negative/Toxic/Disloyal/Bad/False Friends
Proverbs 12:26 says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Knowing how to figure a fake friend from a genuine friend is very important. It is no strange information that we’ve all had friends who at one time hurt us, abandoned us, or even betrayed us. Though it is normal to have some little disagreements with friends once in a while, what is abnormal is that we allow someone in the name of a friend to destroy our life and bring down everything that we’ve struggled to build over the years. Behold, some of our relationships need to meet an end for us to see the light of success in Christ. Likewise, we should be very careful to assess who we allow o be our friends so as to be free from what might just hinder our pursuit of Christ.
Below are some ways to help you identify fake friends:
1) Negative friends abandon you in times of need – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Therefore, if you have friends who are always there for fun but not there for adversity, it’s a clear sign that they are fake friends. Behold, a real/genuine friend loves you at all times and not only when they are benefiting something from you. The Bible invites us not to withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in our ability to do it. During moments of trial and hardship, we need kindness and comfort. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit and any friend with this fruit will show you kindness in a time of need. But fake friends don’t have your interest at heart and won’t offer any genuine kindness.
2) Negative friends bear rotten fruits – Matthew 7:15-17
Matthew 7:15-17 says, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit. But a corrupt tree bears evil fruit.” Although this verse mentions false prophets, you can as well identify a false friend with a fruit inspection. False friends tend to make a lot of promises but hardly honor any. Psalms 55:21 makes us understand that fake friends are always likely to tell you what you want to hear so as to get you in your good mood and obtain what they want from you but when you are in need, they are nowhere to be found.
3) Negative friends take more than they give – Proverbs 19:4
Proverbs 19:4 says, “Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbor.” If you have a friend who comes beside you just to ask for favors and benefits, it’s clear that he/she is a fake friend. Have in mind that there are some people that befriend you just because of what they benefit from you, not because they are true.
4) Negative friends betray your trust and stab you in the back – Psalms 41:9
Psalms 41:9 says, “Yes, my own close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up the heel against me.” We are told in the Bible that faithful are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6), but this saying is in the context of a friend correcting an error in your life that you can’t see. Note that such a friend is very different from the one who speaks cruel words behind your back or betrays your confidence.
5) Negative friends are always gossiping – Proverbs 20:19
Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not meddle with him who flatters with his lips.” If you have a friend who enjoys gossiping, chances are very high that he/she has already gossiped about you behind your back. What makes you think if they can reveal other people’s secrets to you, they won’t reveal yours to others? Behold, it’s that simple.
6) Negative friends draw you away from God – Matthew 10:37
Matthew 10:37 says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” A friend who draws you farther away from God is a fake friend. In fact, if you have a friend who pulls you away from God, let that friend go. Do this regardless of who they are or what they do, so long as they are not willing to change from their evil ways. Stand firm in the faith and cut every relationship that separates you from God’s Ways.
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.” It is without a doubt that fake friends don’t have any respect for your boundaries or moral limits. They don’t care whether you’ve set the goal of studying God’s Word every evening or waking up early in the morning to pray. All that matters to them is their interests even if it means you not meeting your daily goals.
8) Negative friends bring strife and division into your life – Proverbs 16:26-28
Proverbs 16:26-28 says, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” This is a clear warning from the Bible against friends who are always bringing drama aimed at confusing you and separating you from those who haven’t done anything to deserve being abandoned by you. Do your best to avoid those who want to separate you from good friends. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because there is a good reward for their labor together. For if they fall, then one will help up his companion.“
What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends?
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Matthew 5:30 – “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
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.”
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.“
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 16:28 – “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Proverbs 20:19 – “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.“
Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
2 Timothy 3:13 – “While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Proverbs 22:24-25 – “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 – “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
Proverbs 12:26 – “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Proverbs 27:9 – “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.“
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Matthew 5:29-30 – “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
Proverbs 3:32 – “For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.“
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.”
Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
1 John 4:1-21 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...”
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …”
Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
1 John 4:6 – “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
Revelation 21:8 – “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Proverbs 20:6 – “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?“
1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
John 15:13-15 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.“
Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
John 15:12-15 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.“
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
James 4:4 – “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“
2 Kings 2:2 – And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Job 2:11 – “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “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!“
John 13:3 – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”
Matthew 24:5 – “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Negative Friends
1 John 3:7-8 – “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends? Evil/Toxic/Disloyal/Bad/fake friends are out just to use you for what they can get out of you. They are liars or hypocrites in their ways. They pretend to be your friends but in their hearts, they are not. Wisdom calls on you to stop letting them use you. As a matter of fact, you should avoid putting your trust in them for they’ll only hurt your feelings and rejoice about their actions in your absence. However, you should be courteous and even “agape” love them. Agape is the Greek word for God’s love for sinners. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved (agape) the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Likewise, Jesus Christ commanded us to love (agape) our enemies.
Agape is not a feeling. In simple terms, it is a decision to do good to all – even to those who use you. In the same light, Matthew 5:44-45 reads, “But I say to you, love (agape) your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” With agape, we do not hurt back when others hurt us. Rather, we are kind and even helpful as called for in Matthew 5:38-45. On the other hand, “Phileo” love is the kind of love that we have towards our fellow Christians. Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love (phileo)…”
What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends?
Jesus Christ commands us to love and treat our evil/toxic/disloyal friends well. By so doing, we distinguish ourselves as children of the Most High. However, in being good to them, we should avoid putting in our trust and getting too emotionally close as they’ll only end up hurting our feelings. However, for a genuine friendship, Romans 12:10 points to Phileo love, which is a tender, heartfelt love of companionship. This is the brotherly love that siblings in a family have for each other. Human beings were created to be social creatures. This is to say that we are most comfortable when we have family, friends, and acquaintances. Genuine friendship is one of the most important elements in a contented and fulfilled life. Generally, those who have close and reliable friends tend to be happy and well-adjusted.
However, those who call themselves our friends may cause us grief, hardship, and even lead us into sin. While tolerance, love, and forgiveness are important in every friendship relationship, it is also important to know when such relationships reach the boundary. On the positive side, friends can bring comfort and help us when we are in trouble, as when Barzillai the Gileadite consoled David when he was being hunted by Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27–29) or when Jephthah’s daughter’s friends consoled her before her death (Judges 11:37-38). A friend may also rebuke in love, thereby proving more faithful than a hypocritical flatterer (Proverbs 27:6). One of the greatest Biblical examples of friendship is that which existed between David and Johnathan, son of King Saul. The Bible tells us that Johnathan’s loyalty to his friend, David, exceeded that to his own father and his own ambitions (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:14-17).
What The Scriptures Say
While the Bible does not encourage us to abandon our friends, it is important to keep watch so that friends won’t lead us astray from the Will of God. That is, friendship can have its negative aspects as well. It is without a doubt that friends can lead us into sin, as when Jonadab persuades Amnon to rape his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-6). Behold, a friend can lead us astray in regard to our faith, as it was the case in Israel, leading others to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). Note that in those days, such an act in Israel was punishable by death. Also, even if our friends do not lead us astray, they can provide false comfort and bad advice, as Job’s friends did, making his suffering worse and displeasing the Lord God Almighty (Job 2:11-13, 6:14-27, 42:7-9).
In the same light, friends can as well prove false, pretending affection for their own egoistic motives, and deserting us when our friendship no longer benefits them in any way (Psalm 55:12-14; Proverbs 19:4, 6-7). However, friendship can be broken down through gossip (Proverbs 16:28) or grudges (Proverbs 17:9). While showing love for everyone, we should choose our friends carefully, as Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Proverbs 1:10-19 and 4:14-19 warns about friends and tells us how we should choose them. As Christians, we are not to associate with those who have refused to turn away from their evil ways and who entice us to join them in doing wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” seems to be. Those whose “feet rush to sin” should be avoided. A Christian’s choice should be to follow the “path of the righteous.”
More on what the Scriptures say
The Scriptures give us the importance and qualities of a true friend. Genuine friendship is God’s gift for us. There is much joy that comes with keeping company with friends. Without friends, life becomes a lonely, boring, and bitter road to walk all alone. However, not all friends are worth our time and trust. While others are worth dying to keep, others are there to lead us into regret, sorrow, bitterness, and tears. Such people are more likely to bring our downfall and ruin our relationship with God. This creates the need for everyone to learn the qualities of a genuine or true friend. Without these qualities at hand, we are more likely to roam around with the wrong people in the name of friends. It is at this point that God intervenes out of his love for us.
Truth be told, God is concerned about the people keeping us company. That’s why He revealed the Best Bible Verses On Friends that are full of wisdom and knowledge on who is worth taking as a companion and offering your trust. Without these, the process of surrounding ourselves with true friends will be a nightmare. The whole aspect of genuine friendship might feel daunting or unnecessary for those who consider themselves friendly to all. Whatever the case, you must be honest to yourself and have a clear look into your friendship relationships. After looking, you must decide whether to maintain them or let them go. Deciding early on who is a true friend and who is not a true friend will save you from many sorrows. For deciding, you must first know for sure which friendship is worth keeping and which you should turn your back on.
Biblical qualities of a good friend to consider in choosing your companions
1. True friends love at all times – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Love is a powerful language of the heart that encourages, excites, and gives meaning and fun to friendship relationships. These priceless treasures are the desires of many but a reality to few. Loving friendships are rare these days as many are out for their personal interests and profits. Such ego creates room for friendship without love. And behold, friendship without love is not different from tunnels without light at the end and ships without sails. Genuine love is what holds and binds true friendship together, even during uncertain and hard times. It is so powerful that it overcomes the challenges of life and maintains its participants together. Unfortunately, not all friends are loving – some friends only stick around when things are going well. Immediately things turn the other way round, such friends disappear.
As pointed out by the best Bible verses about friendship, friends that are out for their personal interest will say the right words at the right time and they will exhibit the qualities of a loving friend as long as things keep moving well, and immediately you encounter hard times and can no longer meet their expectations and demands, their love becomes a thing of the past. Always keep in mind that a good friend will love you in all circumstances and at all times. Genuine friends are not out for opportunities to excuse themselves from expressing their love to you. They are rather more into looking for opportunities to further express their love to you. Genuine love will always pass the test of time and trials. Loyal and loving friends will succeed in your test and won’t remain angry for long but find ways to improve on the relationship.
2. Good friends respect you and your qualities – Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” A good friend is one who respects your personality and values your qualities. Such a friend won’t disregard your feelings and treat them as if they did not matter. It is advisable not to lower your standards for the accommodation of friends that do not respect you. Such friends are more likely to lead you astray and kill the ethical values within you. If a friend is not willing to respect you, then it is as good as saying goodbye to the friendship. Respect is one of the best qualities of a good friend.
3. Good friends exercise wisdom – Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” From the Bible verses on Friendship, we are advised to walk with the wise so that we can in-turn become wise or grow in wisdom. Embracing the companion of fools will soon lead you into sorrow and long lasting regrets. It is with this in mind that we say that good friendship exercises wisdom. Although this Biblical verse is not a call for you to indiscriminately disassociate yourself from friends you perceive to lack knowledge, it is a call for you to take precautions not to follow them into their unwise plans. However, you can help by cultivating some sound value into their lives. If they are willing to learn and move ahead, then we’ll say the relationship is excising wisdom. It is worth continuing if they are willing to learn from their mistakes.
4. Creditable friends inspire strong values in you – 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” It is without doubt that commendable friends inspire and promote the growth of strong values within you. There is major and wise proverb that says “You and known by the friends that you keep“. This verse from Apostle Paul comes in to reinforce the same wisdom. Good friendship inspires and brings out the best from you while bad friendship corrupts the good morals within you. Go for virtues friends who will instill sound values in you. Going the other way round will definitely lead to your downfall in one way or the other.
5. True Friends are supportive and reliable – Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24 – “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Brethren, let no one deceive you that true friendship does not come with reliability and support. It is one of the most important qualities of a good friend. Bible verses about friendship point to the fact that good friendships create bonds that go deeper than brotherly blood relationships. Loyal friends will always be by your side to support and encourage you in hard times. In their supportive nature, they’ll gracefully correct you when you are wrong. They’ll also popup to congratulate you for your achievements.
6. Good friends make sacrifices for you – John 15:13
John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” A true or genuine friend is one who knows the importance of sacrifices in strengthening a relationship to last. The Bible verses on friendship point Jesus Christ as the greatest example of a friend. Sacrifice is a fundamental quality for a genuine friendship relationship that will last long. Friendships without sacrifices are those that come without commitment. It is without doubt that such relationships won’t last long. In 1 Samuel 18:4, we read about the genuine friendship that existed between David and Jonathan, the King’s son. The king hated David and had made plans to kill him, but his son, Jonathan, out of the love and respect he had for his friendship with David did not hesitate to endanger his life by informing David. Christ did even more for us.
7. Honorable friends preserve secrets and stay away from gossips – Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” An honorable friend is one who knows how to keep secrets. Such a person won’t engage into gossips to disclose what he/she knows about you. A friend who gossips is like a thorn in the flesh of those keeping him/her as their companion. In such cases, the friendship relationship becomes a horrible nightmare. Among the qualities of a good friend, the ability to keep secrets is one that can’t be omitted. This is highly supported by the Bible verses on friendship. Note that praiseworthy friends do not gossip. Such friend are out to speak facts and only facts. If they are not sure about something, they maintain their silence. In addition, they also remain silent about the things which you do not want the public to know.
8. Faithful friends put up with our shortcomings and support us – Galatians 6:2
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Most friendship relationships have their own share of troubles. That is, they also face their own ups and downs. That’s why you should not take trouble in a relationship as an excuse to say goodbye. You have to learn and practice tolerance as well as forgiveness. The notions of tolerance and forgiveness can’t be omitted from our list of qualities of a good friend. At times troubles come not to destroy the relationship but to strengthen it in one way or the other. In most cases, it has been noticed that after a period of ups and downs in a relationship, the individuals become more committed and reassured of their sincerity.
Ways To Recognize Evil/Toxic/Disloyal/Bad/False Friends
Proverbs 12:26 says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Knowing how to figure a fake friend from a genuine friend is very important. It is no strange information that we’ve all had friends who at one time hurt us, abandoned us, or even betrayed us. Though it is normal to have some little disagreements with friends once in a while, what is abnormal is that we allow someone in the name of a friend to destroy our life and bring down everything that we’ve struggled to build over the years. Behold, some of our relationships need to meet an end for us to see the light of success in Christ. Likewise, we should be very careful to assess who we allow o be our friends so as to be free from what might just hinder our pursuit of Christ.
Below are some ways to help you identify fake friends:
1) Evil friends abandon you in times of need – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Therefore, if you have friends who are always there for fun but not there for adversity, it’s a clear sign that they are fake friends. Behold, a real/genuine friend loves you at all times and not only when they are benefiting something from you. The Bible invites us not to withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in our ability to do it. During moments of trial and hardship, we need kindness and comfort. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit and any friend with this fruit will show you kindness in a time of need. But fake friends don’t have your interest at heart and won’t offer any genuine kindness.
2) Evil friends bear rotten fruits – Matthew 7:15-17
Matthew 7:15-17 says, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit. But a corrupt tree bears evil fruit.” Although this verse mentions false prophets, you can as well identify a false friend with a fruit inspection. False friends tend to make a lot of promises but hardly honor any. Psalms 55:21 makes us understand that fake friends are always likely to tell you what you want to hear so as to get you in your good mood and obtain what they want from you but when you are in need, they are nowhere to be found.
3) Evil friends take more than they give – Proverbs 19:4
Proverbs 19:4 says, “Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbor.” If you have a friend who comes beside you just to ask for favors and benefits, it’s clear that he/she is a fake friend. Have in mind that there are some people that befriend you just because of what they benefit from you, not because they are true.
4) Evil friends betray your trust and stab you in the back – Psalms 41:9
Psalms 41:9 says, “Yes, my own close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up the heel against me.” We are told in the Bible that faithful are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6), but this saying is in the context of a friend correcting an error in your life that you can’t see. Note that such a friend is very different from the one who speaks cruel words behind your back or betrays your confidence.
5) Evil friends are always gossiping – Proverbs 20:19
Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not meddle with him who flatters with his lips.” If you have a friend who enjoys gossiping, chances are very high that he/she has already gossiped about you behind your back. What makes you think if they can reveal other people’s secrets to you, they won’t reveal yours to others? Behold, it’s that simple.
6) Evil friends draw you away from God – Matthew 10:37
Matthew 10:37 says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” A friend who draws you farther away from God is a fake friend. In fact, if you have a friend who pulls you away from God, let that friend go. Do this regardless of who they are or what they do, so long as they are not willing to change from their evil ways. Stand firm in the faith and cut every relationship that separates you from God’s Ways.
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.” It is without a doubt that fake friends don’t have any respect for your boundaries or moral limits. They don’t care whether you’ve set the goal of studying God’s Word every evening or waking up early in the morning to pray. All that matters to them is their interests even if it means you not meeting your daily goals.
8) Evil friends bring strife and division into your life – Proverbs 16:26-28
Proverbs 16:26-28 says, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” This is a clear warning from the Bible against friends who are always bringing drama aimed at confusing you and separating you from those who haven’t done anything to deserve being abandoned by you. Do your best to avoid those who want to separate you from good friends. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because there is a good reward for their labor together. For if they fall, then one will help up his companion.“
What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends?
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Matthew 5:30 – “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
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.”
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.“
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 16:28 – “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Proverbs 20:19 – “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.“
Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
2 Timothy 3:13 – “While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Proverbs 22:24-25 – “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 – “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Proverbs 12:26 – “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Proverbs 27:9 – “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.“
Group 3 -What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Matthew 5:29-30 – “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
1 John 4:1-21 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...”
Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
Proverbs 3:32 – “For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.“
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.”
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …”
Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
John 15:13-15 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.“
1 John 4:6 – “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
Revelation 21:8 – “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Proverbs 20:6 – “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?“
Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
John 15:12-15 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.“
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
James 4:4 – “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“
2 Kings 2:2 – And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Job 2:11 – “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “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!“
John 13:3 – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”
Matthew 24:5 – “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Evil Friends
1 John 3:7-8 – “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends? Disloyal/Bad/fake friends are out just to use you for what they can get out of you. They are liars or hypocrites in their ways. They pretend to be your friends but in their hearts, they are not. Wisdom calls on you to stop letting them use you. As a matter of fact, you should avoid putting your trust in them for they’ll only hurt your feelings and rejoice about their actions in your absence. However, you should be courteous and even “agape” love them. Agape is the Greek word for God’s love for sinners. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved (agape) the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Likewise, Jesus Christ commanded us to love (agape) our enemies.
Agape is not a feeling. In simple terms, it is a decision to do good to all – even to those who use you. In the same light, Matthew 5:44-45 reads, “But I say to you, love (agape) your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” With agape, we do not hurt back when others hurt us. Rather, we are kind and even helpful as called for in Matthew 5:38-45. On the other hand, “Phileo” love is the kind of love that we have towards our fellow Christians. Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love (phileo)…”
What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends?
Jesus Christ commands us to love and treat our disloyal friends well. By so doing, we distinguish ourselves as children of the Most High. However, in being good to them, we should avoid putting in our trust and getting too emotionally close as they’ll only end up hurting our feelings. However, for a genuine friendship, Romans 12:10 points to Phileo love, which is a tender, heartfelt love of companionship. This is the brotherly love that siblings in a family have for each other. Human beings were created to be social creatures. This is to say that we are most comfortable when we have family, friends, and acquaintances. Genuine friendship is one of the most important elements in a contented and fulfilled life. Generally, those who have close and reliable friends tend to be happy and well-adjusted.
However, those who call themselves our friends may cause us grief, hardship, and even lead us into sin. While tolerance, love, and forgiveness are important in every friendship relationship, it is also important to know when such relationships reach the boundary. On the positive side, friends can bring comfort and help us when we are in trouble, as when Barzillai the Gileadite consoled David when he was being hunted by Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27–29) or when Jephthah’s daughter’s friends consoled her before her death (Judges 11:37-38). A friend may also rebuke in love, thereby proving more faithful than a hypocritical flatterer (Proverbs 27:6). One of the greatest Biblical examples of friendship is that which existed between David and Johnathan, son of King Saul. The Bible tells us that Johnathan’s loyalty to his friend, David, exceeded that to his own father and his own ambitions (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:14-17).
What The Scriptures Say
While the Bible does not encourage us to abandon our friends, it is important to keep watch so that friends won’t lead us astray from the Will of God. That is, friendship can have its negative aspects as well. It is without a doubt that friends can lead us into sin, as when Jonadab persuades Amnon to rape his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-6). Behold, a friend can lead us astray in regard to our faith, as it was the case in Israel, leading others to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). Note that in those days, such an act in Israel was punishable by death. Also, even if our friends do not lead us astray, they can provide false comfort and bad advice, as Job’s friends did, making his suffering worse and displeasing the Lord God Almighty (Job 2:11-13, 6:14-27, 42:7-9).
In the same light, friends can as well prove false, pretending affection for their own egoistic motives, and deserting us when our friendship no longer benefits them in any way (Psalm 55:12-14; Proverbs 19:4, 6-7). However, friendship can be broken down through gossip (Proverbs 16:28) or grudges (Proverbs 17:9). While showing love for everyone, we should choose our friends carefully, as Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Proverbs 1:10-19 and 4:14-19 warns about friends and tells us how we should choose them. As Christians, we are not to associate with those who have refused to turn away from their evil ways and who entice us to join them in doing wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” seems to be. Those whose “feet rush to sin” should be avoided. A Christian’s choice should be to follow the “path of the righteous.”
More on what the Scriptures say
The Scriptures give us the importance and qualities of a true friend. Genuine friendship is God’s gift for us. There is much joy that comes with keeping company with friends. Without friends, life becomes a lonely, boring, and bitter road to walk all alone. However, not all friends are worth our time and trust. While others are worth dying to keep, others are there to lead us into regret, sorrow, bitterness, and tears. Such people are more likely to bring our downfall and ruin our relationship with God. This creates the need for everyone to learn the qualities of a genuine or true friend. Without these qualities at hand, we are more likely to roam around with the wrong people in the name of friends. It is at this point that God intervenes out of his love for us.
Truth be told, God is concerned about the people keeping us company. That’s why He revealed the Best Bible Verses On Friends that are full of wisdom and knowledge on who is worth taking as a companion and offering your trust. Without these, the process of surrounding ourselves with true friends will be a nightmare. The whole aspect of genuine friendship might feel daunting or unnecessary for those who consider themselves friendly to all. Whatever the case, you must be honest to yourself and have a clear look into your friendship relationships. After looking, you must decide whether to maintain them or let them go. Deciding early on who is a true friend and who is not a true friend will save you from many sorrows. For deciding, you must first know for sure which friendship is worth keeping and which you should turn your back on.
Biblical qualities of a good friend to consider in choosing your companions
1. True friends love at all times – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Love is a powerful language of the heart that encourages, excites, and gives meaning and fun to friendship relationships. These priceless treasures are the desires of many but a reality to few. Loving friendships are rare these days as many are out for their personal interests and profits. Such ego creates room for friendship without love. And behold, friendship without love is not different from tunnels without light at the end and ships without sails. Genuine love is what holds and binds true friendship together, even during uncertain and hard times. It is so powerful that it overcomes the challenges of life and maintains its participants together. Unfortunately, not all friends are loving – some friends only stick around when things are going well. Immediately things turn the other way round, such friends disappear.
As pointed out by the best Bible verses about friendship, friends that are out for their personal interest will say the right words at the right time and they will exhibit the qualities of a loving friend as long as things keep moving well, and immediately you encounter hard times and can no longer meet their expectations and demands, their love becomes a thing of the past. Always keep in mind that a good friend will love you in all circumstances and at all times. Genuine friends are not out for opportunities to excuse themselves from expressing their love to you. They are rather more into looking for opportunities to further express their love to you. Genuine love will always pass the test of time and trials. Loyal and loving friends will succeed in your test and won’t remain angry for long but find ways to improve on the relationship.
2. Good friends respect you and your qualities – Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” A good friend is one who respects your personality and values your qualities. Such a friend won’t disregard your feelings and treat them as if they did not matter. It is advisable not to lower your standards for the accommodation of friends that do not respect you. Such friends are more likely to lead you astray and kill the ethical values within you. If a friend is not willing to respect you, then it is as good as saying goodbye to the friendship. Respect is one of the best qualities of a good friend.
3. Good friends exercise wisdom – Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” From the Bible verses on Friendship, we are advised to walk with the wise so that we can in-turn become wise or grow in wisdom. Embracing the companion of fools will soon lead you into sorrow and long lasting regrets. It is with this in mind that we say that good friendship exercises wisdom. Although this Biblical verse is not a call for you to indiscriminately disassociate yourself from friends you perceive to lack knowledge, it is a call for you to take precautions not to follow them into their unwise plans. However, you can help by cultivating some sound value into their lives. If they are willing to learn and move ahead, then we’ll say the relationship is excising wisdom. It is worth continuing if they are willing to learn from their mistakes.
4. Creditable friends inspire strong values in you – 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” It is without doubt that commendable friends inspire and promote the growth of strong values within you. There is major and wise proverb that says “You and known by the friends that you keep“. This verse from Apostle Paul comes in to reinforce the same wisdom. Good friendship inspires and brings out the best from you while bad friendship corrupts the good morals within you. Go for virtues friends who will instill sound values in you. Going the other way round will definitely lead to your downfall in one way or the other.
5. True Friends are supportive and reliable – Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24 – “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Brethren, let no one deceive you that true friendship does not come with reliability and support. It is one of the most important qualities of a good friend. Bible verses about friendship point to the fact that good friendships create bonds that go deeper than brotherly blood relationships. Loyal friends will always be by your side to support and encourage you in hard times. In their supportive nature, they’ll gracefully correct you when you are wrong. They’ll also popup to congratulate you for your achievements.
6. Good friends make sacrifices for you – John 15:13
John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” A true or genuine friend is one who knows the importance of sacrifices in strengthening a relationship to last. The Bible verses on friendship point Jesus Christ as the greatest example of a friend. Sacrifice is a fundamental quality for a genuine friendship relationship that will last long. Friendships without sacrifices are those that come without commitment. It is without doubt that such relationships won’t last long. In 1 Samuel 18:4, we read about the genuine friendship that existed between David and Jonathan, the King’s son. The king hated David and had made plans to kill him, but his son, Jonathan, out of the love and respect he had for his friendship with David did not hesitate to endanger his life by informing David. Christ did even more for us.
7. Honorable friends preserve secrets and stay away from gossips – Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” An honorable friend is one who knows how to keep secrets. Such a person won’t engage into gossips to disclose what he/she knows about you. A friend who gossips is like a thorn in the flesh of those keeping him/her as their companion. In such cases, the friendship relationship becomes a horrible nightmare. Among the qualities of a good friend, the ability to keep secrets is one that can’t be omitted. This is highly supported by the Bible verses on friendship. Note that praiseworthy friends do not gossip. Such friend are out to speak facts and only facts. If they are not sure about something, they maintain their silence. In addition, they also remain silent about the things which you do not want the public to know.
8. Faithful friends put up with our shortcomings and support us – Galatians 6:2
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Most friendship relationships have their own share of troubles. That is, they also face their own ups and downs. That’s why you should not take trouble in a relationship as an excuse to say goodbye. You have to learn and practice tolerance as well as forgiveness. The notions of tolerance and forgiveness can’t be omitted from our list of qualities of a good friend. At times troubles come not to destroy the relationship but to strengthen it in one way or the other. In most cases, it has been noticed that after a period of ups and downs in a relationship, the individuals become more committed and reassured of their sincerity.
Ways To Recognize Disloyal/Bad/False Friends
Proverbs 12:26 says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Knowing how to figure a fake friend from a genuine friend is very important. It is no strange information that we’ve all had friends who at one time hurt us, abandoned us, or even betrayed us. Though it is normal to have some little disagreements with friends once in a while, what is abnormal is that we allow someone in the name of a friend to destroy our life and bring down everything that we’ve struggled to build over the years. Behold, some of our relationships need to meet an end for us to see the light of success in Christ. Likewise, we should be very careful to assess who we allow o be our friends so as to be free from what might just hinder our pursuit of Christ.
Below are some ways to help you identify fake friends:
1) Disloyal friends abandon you in times of need – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Therefore, if you have friends who are always there for fun but not there for adversity, it’s a clear sign that they are fake friends. Behold, a real/genuine friend loves you at all times and not only when they are benefiting something from you. The Bible invites us not to withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in our ability to do it. During moments of trial and hardship, we need kindness and comfort. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit and any friend with this fruit will show you kindness in a time of need. But fake friends don’t have your interest at heart and won’t offer any genuine kindness.
2) Disloyal friends bear rotten fruits – Matthew 7:15-17
Matthew 7:15-17 says, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit. But a corrupt tree bears evil fruit.” Although this verse mentions false prophets, you can as well identify a false friend with a fruit inspection. False friends tend to make a lot of promises but hardly honor any. Psalms 55:21 makes us understand that fake friends are always likely to tell you what you want to hear so as to get you in your good mood and obtain what they want from you but when you are in need, they are nowhere to be found.
3) Disloyal friends take more than they give – Proverbs 19:4
Proverbs 19:4 says, “Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbor.” If you have a friend who comes beside you just to ask for favors and benefits, it’s clear that he/she is a fake friend. Have in mind that there are some people that befriend you just because of what they benefit from you, not because they are true.
4) Disloyal friends betray your trust and stab you in the back – Psalms 41:9
Psalms 41:9 says, “Yes, my own close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up the heel against me.” We are told in the Bible that faithful are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6), but this saying is in the context of a friend correcting an error in your life that you can’t see. Note that such a friend is very different from the one who speaks cruel words behind your back or betrays your confidence.
5) Disloyal friends are always gossiping – Proverbs 20:19
Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not meddle with him who flatters with his lips.” If you have a friend who enjoys gossiping, chances are very high that he/she has already gossiped about you behind your back. What makes you think if they can reveal other people’s secrets to you, they won’t reveal yours to others? Behold, it’s that simple.
6) Disloyal friends draw you away from God – Matthew 10:37
Matthew 10:37 says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” A friend who draws you farther away from God is a fake friend. In fact, if you have a friend who pulls you away from God, let that friend go. Do this regardless of who they are or what they do, so long as they are not willing to change from their evil ways. Stand firm in the faith and cut every relationship that separates you from God’s Ways.
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.” It is without a doubt that fake friends don’t have any respect for your boundaries or moral limits. They don’t care whether you’ve set the goal of studying God’s Word every evening or waking up early in the morning to pray. All that matters to them is their interests even if it means you not meeting your daily goals.
8) Disloyal friends bring strife and division into your life – Proverbs 16:26-28
Proverbs 16:26-28 says, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” This is a clear warning from the Bible against friends who are always bringing drama aimed at confusing you and separating you from those who haven’t done anything to deserve being abandoned by you. Do your best to avoid those who want to separate you from good friends. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because there is a good reward for their labor together. For if they fall, then one will help up his companion.“
What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends?
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Matthew 5:30 – “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
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.”
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.“
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 16:28 – “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Proverbs 20:19 – “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.“
Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
2 Timothy 3:13 – “While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Proverbs 22:24-25 – “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 – “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”
Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Proverbs 12:26 – “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Proverbs 27:9 – “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.“
Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Matthew 5:29-30 – “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
1 John 4:1-21 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...”
Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
Proverbs 3:32 – “For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.“
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.”
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …”
Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
John 15:13-15 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.“
1 John 4:6 – “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
Revelation 21:8 – “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Proverbs 20:6 – “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?“
Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
John 15:12-15 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.“
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“
2 Kings 2:2 – And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
James 4:4 – “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Job 2:11 – “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
1 John 3:7-8 – “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Disloyal Friends
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “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!“
John 13:3 – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”
Matthew 24:5 – “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends? Bad/fake friends are out just to use you for what they can get out of you. They are liars or hypocrites in their ways. They pretend to be your friends but in their hearts, they are not. Wisdom calls on you to stop letting them use you. As a matter of fact, you should avoid putting your trust in them for they’ll only hurt your feelings and rejoice about their actions in your absence. However, you should be courteous and even “agape” love them. Agape is the Greek word for God’s love for sinners. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved (agape) the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Likewise, Jesus Christ commanded us to love (agape) our enemies.
Agape is not a feeling. In simple terms, it is a decision to do good to all – even to those who use you. In the same light, Matthew 5:44-45 reads, “But I say to you, love (agape) your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” With agape, we do not hurt back when others hurt us. Rather, we are kind and even helpful as called for in Matthew 5:38-45. On the other hand, “Phileo” love is the kind of love that we have towards our fellow Christians. Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love (phileo)…”
What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends?
Jesus Christ commands us to love and treat our fake friends well. By so doing, we distinguish ourselves as children of the Most High. However, in being good to them, we should avoid putting in our trust and getting too emotionally close as they’ll only end up hurting our feelings. However, for a genuine friendship, Romans 12:10 points to Phileo love, which is a tender, heartfelt love of companionship. This is the brotherly love that siblings in a family have for each other. Human beings were created to be social creatures. This is to say that we are most comfortable when we have family, friends, and acquaintances. Genuine friendship is one of the most important elements in a contented and fulfilled life. Generally, those who have close and reliable friends tend to be happy and well-adjusted.
However, those who call themselves our friends may cause us grief, hardship, and even lead us into sin. While tolerance, love, and forgiveness are important in every friendship relationship, it is also important to know when such relationships reach the boundary. On the positive side, friends can bring comfort and help us when we are in trouble, as when Barzillai the Gileadite consoled David when he was being hunted by Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27–29) or when Jephthah’s daughter’s friends consoled her before her death (Judges 11:37-38). A friend may also rebuke in love, thereby proving more faithful than a hypocritical flatterer (Proverbs 27:6). One of the greatest Biblical examples of friendship is that which existed between David and Johnathan, son of King Saul. The Bible tells us that Johnathan’s loyalty to his friend, David, exceeded that to his own father and his own ambitions (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:14-17).
What The Scriptures Say About Bad Friends
While the Bible does not encourage us to abandon our friends, it is important to keep watch so that friends won’t lead us astray from the Will of God. That is, friendship can have its negative aspects as well. It is without a doubt that friends can lead us into sin, as when Jonadab persuades Amnon to rape his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-6). Behold, a friend can lead us astray in regard to our faith, as it was the case in Israel, leading others to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). Note that in those days, such an act in Israel was punishable by death. Also, even if our friends do not lead us astray, they can provide false comfort and bad advice, as Job’s friends did, making his suffering worse and displeasing the Lord God Almighty (Job 2:11-13, 6:14-27, 42:7-9).
In the same light, friends can as well prove false, pretending affection for their own egoistic motives, and deserting us when our friendship no longer benefits them in any way (Psalm 55:12-14; Proverbs 19:4, 6-7). However, friendship can be broken down through gossip (Proverbs 16:28) or grudges (Proverbs 17:9). While showing love for everyone, we should choose our friends carefully, as Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Proverbs 1:10-19 and 4:14-19 warns about friends and tells us how we should choose them. As Christians, we are not to associate with those who have refused to turn away from their evil ways and who entice us to join them in doing wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” seems to be. Those whose “feet rush to sin” should be avoided. A Christian’s choice should be to follow the “path of the righteous.”
More on what the Scriptures say
The Scriptures give us the importance and qualities of a true friend. Genuine friendship is God’s gift for us. There is much joy that comes with keeping company with friends. Without friends, life becomes a lonely, boring, and bitter road to walk all alone. However, not all friends are worth our time and trust. While others are worth dying to keep, others are there to lead us into regret, sorrow, bitterness, and tears. Such people are more likely to bring our downfall and ruin our relationship with God. This creates the need for everyone to learn the qualities of a genuine or true friend. Without these qualities at hand, we are more likely to roam around with the wrong people in the name of friends. It is at this point that God intervenes out of his love for us.
Truth be told, God is concerned about the people keeping us company. That’s why He revealed the Best Bible Verses On Friends that are full of wisdom and knowledge on who is worth taking as a companion and offering your trust. Without these, the process of surrounding ourselves with true friends will be a nightmare. The whole aspect of genuine friendship might feel daunting or unnecessary for those who consider themselves friendly to all. Whatever the case, you must be honest to yourself and have a clear look into your friendship relationships. After looking, you must decide whether to maintain them or let them go. Deciding early on who is a true friend and who is not a true friend will save you from many sorrows. For deciding, you must first know for sure which friendship is worth keeping and which you should turn your back on.
Biblical qualities of a good friend to consider in choosing your companions
1. True friends love at all times – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Love is a powerful language of the heart that encourages, excites, and gives meaning and fun to friendship relationships. These priceless treasures are the desires of many but a reality to few. Loving friendships are rare these days as many are out for their personal interests and profits. Such ego creates room for friendship without love. And behold, friendship without love is not different from tunnels without light at the end and ships without sails. Genuine love is what holds and binds true friendship together, even during uncertain and hard times. It is so powerful that it overcomes the challenges of life and maintains its participants together. Unfortunately, not all friends are loving – some friends only stick around when things are going well. Immediately things turn the other way round, such friends disappear.
As pointed out by the best Bible verses about friendship, friends that are out for their personal interest will say the right words at the right time and they will exhibit the qualities of a loving friend as long as things keep moving well, and immediately you encounter hard times and can no longer meet their expectations and demands, their love becomes a thing of the past. Always keep in mind that a good friend will love you in all circumstances and at all times. Genuine friends are not out for opportunities to excuse themselves from expressing their love to you. They are rather more into looking for opportunities to further express their love to you. Genuine love will always pass the test of time and trials. Loyal and loving friends will succeed in your test and won’t remain angry for long but find ways to improve on the relationship.
2. Good friends respect you and your qualities – Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” A good friend is one who respects your personality and values your qualities. Such a friend won’t disregard your feelings and treat them as if they did not matter. It is advisable not to lower your standards for the accommodation of friends that do not respect you. Such friends are more likely to lead you astray and kill the ethical values within you. If a friend is not willing to respect you, then it is as good as saying goodbye to the friendship. Respect is one of the best qualities of a good friend.
3. Good friends exercise wisdom – Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” From the Bible verses on Friendship, we are advised to walk with the wise so that we can in-turn become wise or grow in wisdom. Embracing the companion of fools will soon lead you into sorrow and long lasting regrets. It is with this in mind that we say that good friendship exercises wisdom. Although this Biblical verse is not a call for you to indiscriminately disassociate yourself from friends you perceive to lack knowledge, it is a call for you to take precautions not to follow them into their unwise plans. However, you can help by cultivating some sound value into their lives. If they are willing to learn and move ahead, then we’ll say the relationship is excising wisdom. It is worth continuing if they are willing to learn from their mistakes.
4. Creditable friends inspire strong values in you – 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” It is without doubt that commendable friends inspire and promote the growth of strong values within you. There is major and wise proverb that says “You and known by the friends that you keep“. This verse from Apostle Paul comes in to reinforce the same wisdom. Good friendship inspires and brings out the best from you while bad friendship corrupts the good morals within you. Go for virtues friends who will instill sound values in you. Going the other way round will definitely lead to your downfall in one way or the other.
5. True Friends are supportive and reliable – Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24 – “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Brethren, let no one deceive you that true friendship does not come with reliability and support. It is one of the most important qualities of a good friend. Bible verses about friendship point to the fact that good friendships create bonds that go deeper than brotherly blood relationships. Loyal friends will always be by your side to support and encourage you in hard times. In their supportive nature, they’ll gracefully correct you when you are wrong. They’ll also popup to congratulate you for your achievements.
6. Good friends make sacrifices for you – John 15:13
John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” A true or genuine friend is one who knows the importance of sacrifices in strengthening a relationship to last. The Bible verses on friendship point Jesus Christ as the greatest example of a friend. Sacrifice is a fundamental quality for a genuine friendship relationship that will last long. Friendships without sacrifices are those that come without commitment. It is without doubt that such relationships won’t last long. In 1 Samuel 18:4, we read about the genuine friendship that existed between David and Jonathan, the King’s son. The king hated David and had made plans to kill him, but his son, Jonathan, out of the love and respect he had for his friendship with David did not hesitate to endanger his life by informing David. Christ did even more for us.
7. Honorable friends preserve secrets and stay away from gossips – Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” An honorable friend is one who knows how to keep secrets. Such a person won’t engage into gossips to disclose what he/she knows about you. A friend who gossips is like a thorn in the flesh of those keeping him/her as their companion. In such cases, the friendship relationship becomes a horrible nightmare. Among the qualities of a good friend, the ability to keep secrets is one that can’t be omitted. This is highly supported by the Bible verses on friendship. Note that praiseworthy friends do not gossip. Such friend are out to speak facts and only facts. If they are not sure about something, they maintain their silence. In addition, they also remain silent about the things which you do not want the public to know.
8. Faithful friends put up with our shortcomings and support us – Galatians 6:2
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Most friendship relationships have their own share of troubles. That is, they also face their own ups and downs. That’s why you should not take trouble in a relationship as an excuse to say goodbye. You have to learn and practice tolerance as well as forgiveness. The notions of tolerance and forgiveness can’t be omitted from our list of qualities of a good friend. At times troubles come not to destroy the relationship but to strengthen it in one way or the other. In most cases, it has been noticed that after a period of ups and downs in a relationship, the individuals become more committed and reassured of their sincerity.
Ways To Recognize Bad/False Friends
Proverbs 12:26 says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Knowing how to figure a fake friend from a genuine friend is very important. It is no strange information that we’ve all had friends who at one time hurt us, abandoned us, or even betrayed us. Though it is normal to have some little disagreements with friends once in a while, what is abnormal is that we allow someone in the name of a friend to destroy our life and bring down everything that we’ve struggled to build over the years. Behold, some of our relationships need to meet an end for us to see the light of success in Christ. Likewise, we should be very careful to assess who we allow o be our friends so as to be free from what might just hinder our pursuit of Christ.
Below are some ways to help you identify fake friends:
1) Bad friends abandon you in times of need – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Therefore, if you have friends who are always there for fun but not there for adversity, it’s a clear sign that they are fake friends. Behold, a real/genuine friend loves you at all times and not only when they are benefiting something from you. The Bible invites us not to withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in our ability to do it. During moments of trial and hardship, we need kindness and comfort. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit and any friend with this fruit will show you kindness in a time of need. But fake friends don’t have your interest at heart and won’t offer any genuine kindness.
2) Bad friends bear rotten fruits – Matthew 7:15-17
Matthew 7:15-17 says, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit. But a corrupt tree bears evil fruit.” Although this verse mentions false prophets, you can as well identify a false friend with a fruit inspection. False friends tend to make a lot of promises but hardly honor any. Psalms 55:21 makes us understand that fake friends are always likely to tell you what you want to hear so as to get you in your good mood and obtain what they want from you but when you are in need, they are nowhere to be found.
3) Bad friends take more than they give – Proverbs 19:4
Proverbs 19:4 says, “Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbor.” If you have a friend who comes beside you just to ask for favors and benefits, it’s clear that he/she is a fake friend. Have in mind that there are some people that befriend you just because of what they benefit from you, not because they are true.
4) Bad friends betray your trust and stab you in the back – Psalms 41:9
Psalms 41:9 says, “Yes, my own close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up the heel against me.” We are told in the Bible that faithful are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6), but this saying is in the context of a friend correcting an error in your life that you can’t see. Note that such a friend is very different from the one who speaks cruel words behind your back or betrays your confidence.
5) Bad friends are always gossiping – Proverbs 20:19
Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not meddle with him who flatters with his lips.” If you have a friend who enjoys gossiping, chances are very high that he/she has already gossiped about you behind your back. What makes you think if they can reveal other people’s secrets to you, they won’t reveal yours to others? Behold, it’s that simple.
6) Bad friends draw you away from God – Matthew 10:37
Matthew 10:37 says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” A friend who draws you farther away from God is a fake friend. In fact, if you have a friend who pulls you away from God, let that friend go. Do this regardless of who they are or what they do, so long as they are not willing to change from their evil ways. Stand firm in the faith and cut every relationship that separates you from God’s Ways.
7) Bad friends won’t respect your godly boundaries – 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.” It is without a doubt that fake friends don’t have any respect for your boundaries or moral limits. They don’t care whether you’ve set the goal of studying God’s Word every evening or waking up early in the morning to pray. All that matters to them is their interests even if it means you not meeting your daily goals.
8) Bad friends bring strife and division into your life – Proverbs 16:26-28
Proverbs 16:26-28 says, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” This is a clear warning from the Bible against friends who are always bringing drama aimed at confusing you and separating you from those who haven’t done anything to deserve being abandoned by you. Do your best to avoid those who want to separate you from good friends. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because there is a good reward for their labor together. For if they fall, then one will help up his companion.“
What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends?
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Matthew 5:30 – “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
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.”
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.“
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 16:28 – “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Proverbs 20:19 – “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.“
Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
2 Timothy 3:13 – “While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Proverbs 22:24-25 – “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 – “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”
Proverbs 12:26 – “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Proverbs 27:9 – “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.“
Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
1 John 4:1-21 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...”
Proverbs 3:32 – “For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.“
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.”
Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …”
Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Matthew 5:29-30 – “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
1 John 4:6 – “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
Revelation 21:8 – “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Proverbs 20:6 – “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?“
1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
John 15:13-15 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.“
Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“
2 Kings 2:2 – And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
John 15:12-15 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.“
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
James 4:4 – “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
1 John 3:7-8 – “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Job 2:11 – “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Bad Friends
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “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!“
John 13:3 – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”
Matthew 24:5 – “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends? Fake friends are out just to use you for what they can get out of you. They are liars or hypocrites in their ways. They pretend to be your friends but in their hearts, they are not. Wisdom calls on you to stop letting them use you. As a matter of fact, you should avoid putting your trust in them for they’ll only hurt your feelings and rejoice about their actions in your absence. However, you should be courteous and even “agape” love them. Agape is the Greek word for God’s love for sinners. John 3:16 says, “For God so loved (agape) the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” Likewise, Jesus Christ commanded us to love (agape) our enemies.
Agape is not a feeling. In simple terms, it is a decision to do good to all – even to those who use you. In the same light, Matthew 5:44-45 reads, “But I say to you, love (agape) your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you, that you may be sons of your Father in heaven; for He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” With agape, we do not hurt back when others hurt us. Rather, we are kind and even helpful as called for in Matthew 5:38-45. On the other hand, “Phileo” love is the kind of love that we have towards our fellow Christians. Romans 12:10 says, “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love (phileo)…”
What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends?
Jesus Christ commands us to love and treat our fake friends well. By so doing, we distinguish ourselves as children of the Most High. However, in being good to them, we should avoid putting in our trust and getting too emotionally close as they’ll only end up hurting our feelings. However, for a genuine friendship, Romans 12:10 points to Phileo love, which is a tender, heartfelt love of companionship. This is the brotherly love that siblings in a family have for each other. Human beings were created to be social creatures. This is to say that we are most comfortable when we have family, friends, and acquaintances. Genuine friendship is one of the most important elements in a contented and fulfilled life. Generally, those who have close and reliable friends tend to be happy and well-adjusted.
However, those who call themselves our friends may cause us grief, hardship, and even lead us into sin. While tolerance, love, and forgiveness are important in every friendship relationship, it is also important to know when such relationships reach the boundary. On the positive side, friends can bring comfort and help us when we are in trouble, as when Barzillai the Gileadite consoled David when he was being hunted by Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27–29) or when Jephthah’s daughter’s friends consoled her before her death (Judges 11:37-38). A friend may also rebuke in love, thereby proving more faithful than a hypocritical flatterer (Proverbs 27:6). One of the greatest Biblical examples of friendship is that which existed between David and Johnathan, son of King Saul. The Bible tells us that Johnathan’s loyalty to his friend, David, exceeded that to his own father and his own ambitions (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:14-17).
What The Scriptures Say About Fake Friends
While the Bible does not encourage us to abandon our friends, it is important to keep watch so that friends won’t lead us astray from the Will of God. That is, friendship can have its negative aspects as well. It is without a doubt that friends can lead us into sin, as when Jonadab persuades Amnon to rape his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-6). Behold, a friend can lead us astray in regard to our faith, as it was the case in Israel, leading others to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). Note that in those days, such an act in Israel was punishable by death. Also, even if our friends do not lead us astray, they can provide false comfort and bad advice, as Job’s friends did, making his suffering worse and displeasing the Lord God Almighty (Job 2:11-13, 6:14-27, 42:7-9).
In the same light, friends can as well prove false, pretending affection for their own egoistic motives, and deserting us when our friendship no longer benefits them in any way (Psalm 55:12-14; Proverbs 19:4, 6-7). However, friendship can be broken down through gossip (Proverbs 16:28) or grudges (Proverbs 17:9). While showing love for everyone, we should choose our friends carefully, as Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Proverbs 1:10-19 and 4:14-19 warns about friends and tells us how we should choose them. As Christians, we are not to associate with those who have refused to turn away from their evil ways and who entice us to join them in doing wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” seems to be. Those whose “feet rush to sin” should be avoided. A Christian’s choice should be to follow the “path of the righteous.”
More on what the Scriptures say
The Scriptures give us the importance and qualities of a true friend. Genuine friendship is God’s gift for us. There is much joy that comes with keeping company with friends. Without friends, life becomes a lonely, boring, and bitter road to walk all alone. However, not all friends are worth our time and trust. While others are worth dying to keep, others are there to lead us into regret, sorrow, bitterness, and tears. Such people are more likely to bring our downfall and ruin our relationship with God. This creates the need for everyone to learn the qualities of a genuine or true friend. Without these qualities at hand, we are more likely to roam around with the wrong people in the name of friends. It is at this point that God intervenes out of his love for us.
Truth be told, God is concerned about the people keeping us company. That’s why He revealed the Best Bible Verses On Friends that are full of wisdom and knowledge on who is worth taking as a companion and offering your trust. Without these, the process of surrounding ourselves with true friends will be a nightmare. The whole aspect of genuine friendship might feel daunting or unnecessary for those who consider themselves friendly to all. Whatever the case, you must be honest to yourself and have a clear look into your friendship relationships. After looking, you must decide whether to maintain them or let them go. Deciding early on who is a true friend and who is not a true friend will save you from many sorrows. For deciding, you must first know for sure which friendship is worth keeping and which you should turn your back on.
Biblical qualities of a good friend to consider in choosing your companions
1. True friends love at all times – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Love is a powerful language of the heart that encourages, excites, and gives meaning and fun to friendship relationships. These priceless treasures are the desires of many but a reality to few. Loving friendships are rare these days as many are out for their personal interests and profits. Such ego creates room for friendship without love. And behold, friendship without love is not different from tunnels without light at the end and ships without sails. Genuine love is what holds and binds true friendship together, even during uncertain and hard times. It is so powerful that it overcomes the challenges of life and maintains its participants together. Unfortunately, not all friends are loving – some friends only stick around when things are going well. Immediately things turn the other way round, such friends disappear.
As pointed out by the best Bible verses about friendship, friends that are out for their personal interest will say the right words at the right time and they will exhibit the qualities of a loving friend as long as things keep moving well, and immediately you encounter hard times and can no longer meet their expectations and demands, their love becomes a thing of the past. Always keep in mind that a good friend will love you in all circumstances and at all times. Genuine friends are not out for opportunities to excuse themselves from expressing their love to you. They are rather more into looking for opportunities to further express their love to you. Genuine love will always pass the test of time and trials. Loyal and loving friends will succeed in your test and won’t remain angry for long but find ways to improve on the relationship.
2. Good friends respect you and your qualities – Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” A good friend is one who respects your personality and values your qualities. Such a friend won’t disregard your feelings and treat them as if they did not matter. It is advisable not to lower your standards for the accommodation of friends that do not respect you. Such friends are more likely to lead you astray and kill the ethical values within you. If a friend is not willing to respect you, then it is as good as saying goodbye to the friendship. Respect is one of the best qualities of a good friend.
3. Good friends exercise wisdom – Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” From the Bible verses on Friendship, we are advised to walk with the wise so that we can in-turn become wise or grow in wisdom. Embracing the companion of fools will soon lead you into sorrow and long lasting regrets. It is with this in mind that we say that good friendship exercises wisdom. Although this Biblical verse is not a call for you to indiscriminately disassociate yourself from friends you perceive to lack knowledge, it is a call for you to take precautions not to follow them into their unwise plans. However, you can help by cultivating some sound value into their lives. If they are willing to learn and move ahead, then we’ll say the relationship is excising wisdom. It is worth continuing if they are willing to learn from their mistakes.
4. Creditable friends inspire strong values in you – 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” It is without doubt that commendable friends inspire and promote the growth of strong values within you. There is major and wise proverb that says “You and known by the friends that you keep“. This verse from Apostle Paul comes in to reinforce the same wisdom. Good friendship inspires and brings out the best from you while bad friendship corrupts the good morals within you. Go for virtues friends who will instill sound values in you. Going the other way round will definitely lead to your downfall in one way or the other.
5. True Friends are supportive and reliable – Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24 – “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Brethren, let no one deceive you that true friendship does not come with reliability and support. It is one of the most important qualities of a good friend. Bible verses about friendship point to the fact that good friendships create bonds that go deeper than brotherly blood relationships. Loyal friends will always be by your side to support and encourage you in hard times. In their supportive nature, they’ll gracefully correct you when you are wrong. They’ll also popup to congratulate you for your achievements.
6. Good friends make sacrifices for you – John 15:13
John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” A true or genuine friend is one who knows the importance of sacrifices in strengthening a relationship to last. The Bible verses on friendship point Jesus Christ as the greatest example of a friend. Sacrifice is a fundamental quality for a genuine friendship relationship that will last long. Friendships without sacrifices are those that come without commitment. It is without doubt that such relationships won’t last long. In 1 Samuel 18:4, we read about the genuine friendship that existed between David and Jonathan, the King’s son. The king hated David and had made plans to kill him, but his son, Jonathan, out of the love and respect he had for his friendship with David did not hesitate to endanger his life by informing David. Christ did even more for us.
7. Honorable friends preserve secrets and stay away from gossips – Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” An honorable friend is one who knows how to keep secrets. Such a person won’t engage into gossips to disclose what he/she knows about you. A friend who gossips is like a thorn in the flesh of those keeping him/her as their companion. In such cases, the friendship relationship becomes a horrible nightmare. Among the qualities of a good friend, the ability to keep secrets is one that can’t be omitted. This is highly supported by the Bible verses on friendship. Note that praiseworthy friends do not gossip. Such friend are out to speak facts and only facts. If they are not sure about something, they maintain their silence. In addition, they also remain silent about the things which you do not want the public to know.
8. Faithful friends put up with our shortcomings and support us – Galatians 6:2
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Most friendship relationships have their own share of troubles. That is, they also face their own ups and downs. That’s why you should not take trouble in a relationship as an excuse to say goodbye. You have to learn and practice tolerance as well as forgiveness. The notions of tolerance and forgiveness can’t be omitted from our list of qualities of a good friend. At times troubles come not to destroy the relationship but to strengthen it in one way or the other. In most cases, it has been noticed that after a period of ups and downs in a relationship, the individuals become more committed and reassured of their sincerity.
Ways To Recognize False Friends
Proverbs 12:26 says, “The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Knowing how to figure a fake friend from a genuine friend is very important. It is no strange information that we’ve all had friends who at one time hurt us, abandoned us, or even betrayed us. Though it is normal to have some little disagreements with friends once in a while, what is abnormal is that we allow someone in the name of a friend to destroy our life and bring down everything that we’ve struggled to build over the years. Behold, some of our relationships need to meet an end for us to see the light of success in Christ. Likewise, we should be very careful to assess who we allow o be our friends so as to be free from what might just hinder our pursuit of Christ.
Below are some ways to help you identify fake friends:
1) Fake friends abandon you in times of need – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Therefore, if you have friends who are always there for fun but not there for adversity, it’s a clear sign that they are fake friends. Behold, a real/genuine friend loves you at all times and not only when they are benefiting something from you. The Bible invites us not to withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in our ability to do it. During moments of trial and hardship, we need kindness and comfort. Kindness is one of the fruits of the Spirit and any friend with this fruit will show you kindness in a time of need. But fake friends don’t have your interest at heart and won’t offer any genuine kindness.
2) Fake friends bear rotten fruits – Matthew 7:15-17
Matthew 7:15-17 says, “Beware of false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravenous wolves. You will know them by their fruit. Do men gather grapes from thorns, or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit. But a corrupt tree bears evil fruit.” Although this verse mentions false prophets, you can as well identify a false friend with a fruit inspection. False friends tend to make a lot of promises but hardly honor any. Psalms 55:21 makes us understand that fake friends are always likely to tell you what you want to hear so as to get you in your good mood and obtain what they want from you but when you are in need, they are nowhere to be found.
3) Fake friends take more than they give – Proverbs 19:4
Proverbs 19:4 says, “Wealth makes many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbor.” If you have a friend who comes beside you just to ask for favors and benefits, it’s clear that he/she is a fake friend. Have in mind that there are some people that befriend you just because of what they benefit from you, not because they are true.
4) Fake friends betray your trust and stab you in the back – Psalms 41:9
Psalms 41:9 says, “Yes, my own close friend, in whom I trusted, who ate of my bread, has lifted up the heel against me.” We are told in the Bible that faithful are the wounds of a friend (Proverbs 27:6), but this saying is in the context of a friend correcting an error in your life that you can’t see. Note that such a friend is very different from the one who speaks cruel words behind your back or betrays your confidence.
5) Fake friends are always gossiping – Proverbs 20:19
Proverbs 20:19 says, “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; therefore do not meddle with him who flatters with his lips.” If you have a friend who enjoys gossiping, chances are very high that he/she has already gossiped about you behind your back. What makes you think if they can reveal other people’s secrets to you, they won’t reveal yours to others? Behold, it’s that simple.
6) Fake friends draw you away from God – Matthew 10:37
Matthew 10:37 says, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.” A friend who draws you farther away from God is a fake friend. In fact, if you have a friend who pulls you away from God, let that friend go. Do this regardless of who they are or what they do, so long as they are not willing to change from their evil ways. Stand firm in the faith and cut every relationship that separates you from God’s Ways.
1 Corinthians 15:33 says, “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character.” It is without a doubt that fake friends don’t have any respect for your boundaries or moral limits. They don’t care whether you’ve set the goal of studying God’s Word every evening or waking up early in the morning to pray. All that matters to them is their interests even if it means you not meeting your daily goals.
8) Fake friends bring strife and division into your life – Proverbs 16:26-28
Proverbs 16:26-28 says, “An ungodly man digs up evil, and in his lips there is as a burning fire. A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer separates the best of friends.” This is a clear warning from the Bible against friends who are always bringing drama aimed at confusing you and separating you from those who haven’t done anything to deserve being abandoned by you. Do your best to avoid those who want to separate you from good friends. Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 says, “Two are better than one, because there is a good reward for their labor together. For if they fall, then one will help up his companion.“
What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends?
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Matthew 5:30 – “And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
Proverbs 27:6 – “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.”
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.”
John 15:13 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.”
Psalm 23:1-6 – “A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...”
Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
Romans 12:15 – “Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep.“
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Proverbs 27:17 – “Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.”
Proverbs 16:28 – “A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.”
Proverbs 20:19 – “Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.“
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
1 John 4:1 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.”
John 15:16 – “You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.”
Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
Proverbs 12:26 – “One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
John 13:34 – “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
John 14:6 – Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”
Proverbs 27:9 – “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.“
2 Timothy 3:13 – “While evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.”
Proverbs 22:24-25 – “Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.”
1 Corinthians 15:33-34 – “Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” Wake up from your drunken stupor, as is right, and do not go on sinning. For some have no knowledge of God. I say this to your shame.”
Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
Proverbs 3:32 – “For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.“
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.”
1 John 4:1-21 – “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God, and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already. Little children, you are from God and have overcome them, for he who is in you is greater than he who is in the world. They are from the world; therefore they speak from the world, and the world listens to them. ...”
Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
Matthew 5:29-30 – “If your right eye causes you to sin, tear it out and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.“
Revelation 1:1-20 – “The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John, who bore witness to the word of God and to the testimony of Jesus Christ, even to all that he saw. Blessed is the one who reads aloud the words of this prophecy, and blessed are those who hear, and who keep what is written in it, for the time is near. John to the seven churches that are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven spirits who are before his throne, and from Jesus Christ the faithful witness, the firstborn of the dead, and the ruler of kings on earth. …”
Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
1 John 4:7 – “Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.”
John 15:13-15 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.“
1 John 4:6 – “We are from God. Whoever knows God listens to us; whoever is not from God does not listen to us. By this we know the Spirit of truth and the spirit of error.”
Revelation 21:8 – “But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.”
Proverbs 20:6 – “Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?“
Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
John 15:12 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.”
1 John 4:8 – “Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.“
2 Kings 2:2 – And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
John 15:12-15 – “This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 12:3 – “For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.“
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
Galatians 5:19-21 – “Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, fits of anger, rivalries, dissensions, divisions, envy, drunkenness, orgies, and things like these. I warn you, as I warned you before, that those who do such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.”
James 4:4 – “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.”
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
1 John 3:7-8 – “Little children, let no one deceive you. Whoever practices righteousness is righteous, as he is righteous. Whoever makes a practice of sinning is of the devil, for the devil has been sinning from the beginning. The reason the Son of God appeared was to destroy the works of the devil.”
Ephesians 2:8 – “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,”
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
John 15:15 – “No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.”
Romans 5:10 – “For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
Philippians 2:12 – “Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling,”
Job 2:11 – “Now when Job’s three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.”
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Fake Friends
John 13:35 – “By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “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!“
John 13:3 – “Jesus, knowing that the Father had given all things into his hands, and that he had come from God and was going back to God,”
Matthew 24:5 – “For many will come in my name, saying, ‘I am the Christ,’ and they will lead many astray.”
What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You? Human beings were created to be social creatures. This is to say that we are most comfortable when we have family, friends, and acquaintances. Genuine friendship is one of the most important elements in a contented and fulfilled life. Generally, those who have close and reliable friends tend to be happy and well-adjusted. At the same time, those who call themselves our friends may cause us grief, hardship, and even lead us into sin. While tolerance, love, and forgiveness are important in every friendship relationship, it is also important to know when such relationships reach the boundary. On the positive side, friends can bring comfort and help us when we are in trouble, as when Barzillai the Gileadite consoled David when he was being hunted by Absalom (2 Samuel 17:27–29) or when Jephthah’s daughter’s friends consoled her before her death (Judges 11:37-38).
A friend may also rebuke in love, thereby proving more faithful than a hypocritical flatterer (Proverbs 27:6). One of the greatest Biblical examples of friendship is that which existed between David and Johnathan, son of King Saul. The Bible tells us that Johnathan’s loyalty to his friend, David, exceeded that to his own father and his own ambitions (1 Samuel 18:1-4; 20:14-17). And behold, David was so attached to his loyal friend so much so that even after this friend died, he wrote a song to him, a tribute filled with heart-wrenching pathos (2 Samuel 1:19-27). Both lived a friendship that was closer than brotherhood. Throughout the New Testament, most of Apostle Paul’s letters begin and end with tributes to his friends, those who ministered to him, ministered with him, prayed for him, loved him, and helped him. The Bible does not encourage us to abandon our friends.
What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You?
While the Bible does not encourage us to abandon our friends, it is important to keep watch so that friends won’t lead us astray from the Will of God. That is, friendship can have its negative aspects as well. It is without a doubt that friends can lead us into sin, as when Jonadab persuades Amnon to rape his half-sister, Tamar (2 Samuel 13:1-6). Behold, a friend can lead us astray in regard to our faith, as it was the case in Israel, leading others to worship false gods (Deuteronomy 13:6-11). Note that in those days, such an act in Israel was punishable by death. Also, even if our friends do not lead us astray, they can provide false comfort and bad advice, as Job’s friends did, making his suffering worse and displeasing the Lord God Almighty (Job 2:11-13, 6:14-27, 42:7-9).
In the same light, friends can as well prove false, pretending affection for their own egoistic motives, and deserting us when our friendship no longer benefits them in any way (Psalm 55:12-14; Proverbs 19:4, 6-7). However, friendship can be broken down through gossip (Proverbs 16:28) or grudges (Proverbs 17:9). While showing love for everyone, we should choose our friends carefully, as Apostle Paul told the Corinthians, “Bad company corrupts good character” (1 Corinthians 15:33). Proverbs 1:10-19 and 4:14-19 warns about friends and tells us how we should choose them. As Christians, we are not to associate with those who have refused to turn away from their evil ways and who entice us to join them in doing wrong, no matter how appealing their “friendship” seems to be. Those whose “feet rush to sin” should be avoided. A Christian’s choice should be to follow the “path of the righteous.”
What The Scriptures Say
The Scriptures give us the importance and qualities of a true friend. Genuine friendship is God’s gift for us. There is much joy that comes with keeping company with friends. Without friends, life becomes a lonely, boring, and bitter road to walk all alone. However, not all friends are worth our time and trust. While others are worth dying to keep, others are there to lead us into regret, sorrow, bitterness, and tears. Such people are more likely to bring our downfall and ruin our relationship with God. This creates need for everyone to learn the qualities of a genuine or true friend. Without these qualities at hand, we are more likely to roam around with the wrong people in the name of friends. It is at this point that God intervenes out of his love for us.
Truth be told, God is concerned about the people keeping us company. It is in this light that He revealed the Best Bible Verses On Friends that are full of wisdom and knowledge on who is worth taking as companion and offering your trust. Without these, the process of surrounding ourselves with true friends will be a nightmare. The whole aspect of genuine friendship might feel daunting or unnecessary for those who consider themselves friendly to all. Whatever the case, you must be honest to yourself and have a clear look into your friendship relationships. After looking, you must decide whether to maintain them or let them go. Deciding early on who is a true friend and who is not a true friend will save you from many sorrows. For deciding, you must first know for sure which friendship is worth keeping and which you should turn your back on.
What Does A Godly Friendship Look Like?
Our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, gave us the true definition of a genuine friend in John 15:13-15: “Greater love has no one than this, that he lay down his life for his 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.” We can say of Jesus Christ that He is the pure example of a true friend, for He laid down His own life for His “friends.” By so doing, anyone can become His friend by welcoming His message, keeping it, believing in Him, and receiving new and everlasting life in Him. In the Bible, we can find a good example of friendship between David and Soul’s son Johnathan.
The Bible tells us that David and Johnathan were good friends as they watched over each other, bringing comfort and joy to where need was in their lives. Despite the evil intentions that Johnathan’s father Saul had towards David, Johnathan was always there for David as a faithful friend. Remember that King Saul went after David on several occasions attempting to kill him. You can find this story in 1 Samuel chapter 18 through chapter 20. Proverbs is another good source of wisdom regarding friendship. Proverbs 17:17 says, “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Likewise Proverbs 18:24 says, “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Biblical qualities of a good friend to consider in choosing your companions
1. True friends love at all times – Proverbs 17:17
Proverbs 17:17 – “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” Love is a powerful language of the heart that encourages, excites, and gives meaning and fun to friendship relationships. These priceless treasures are the desires of many but a reality to few. Loving friendships are rare these days as many are out for their personal interests and profits. Such ego creates room for friendship without love. And behold, friendship without love is not different from tunnels without light at the end and ships without sails. Genuine love is what holds and binds true friendship together, even during uncertain and hard times. It is so powerful that it overcomes the challenges of life and maintains its participants together. Unfortunately, not all friends are loving – some friends only stick around when things are going well. Immediately things turn the other way round, such friends disappear.
As pointed out by the best Bible verses about friendship, friends that are out for their personal interest will say the right words at the right time and they will exhibit the qualities of a loving friend as long as things keep moving well, and immediately you encounter hard times and can no longer meet their expectations and demands, their love becomes a thing of the past. Always keep in mind that a good friend will love you in all circumstances and at all times. Genuine friends are not out for opportunities to excuse themselves from expressing their love to you. They are rather more into looking for opportunities to further express their love to you. Genuine love will always pass the test of time and trials. Loyal and loving friends will succeed in your test and won’t remain angry for long but find ways to improve on the relationship.
2. Good friends respect you and your qualities – Philippians 2:3
Philippians 2:3 – “Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves.” A good friend is one who respects your personality and values your qualities. Such a friend won’t disregard your feelings and treat them as if they did not matter. It is advisable not to lower your standards for the accommodation of friends that do not respect you. Such friends are more likely to lead you astray and kill the ethical values within you. If a friend is not willing to respect you, then it is as good as saying goodbye to the friendship. Respect is one of the best qualities of a good friend.
3. Good friends exercise wisdom – Proverbs 13:20
Proverbs 13:20 – “Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” From the Bible verses on Friendship, we are advised to walk with the wise so that we can in-turn become wise or grow in wisdom. Embracing the companion of fools will soon lead you into sorrow and long lasting regrets. It is with this in mind that we say that good friendship exercises wisdom. Although this Biblical verse is not a call for you to indiscriminately disassociate yourself from friends you perceive to lack knowledge, it is a call for you to take precautions not to follow them into their unwise plans. However, you can help by cultivating some sound value into their lives. If they are willing to learn and move ahead, then we’ll say the relationship is excising wisdom. It is worth continuing if they are willing to learn from their mistakes.
4. Creditable friends inspire strong values in you – 1 Corinthians 15:33
1 Corinthians 15:33 – “Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.” It is without doubt that commendable friends inspire and promote the growth of strong values within you. There is major and wise proverb that says “You and known by the friends that you keep“. This verse from Apostle Paul comes in to reinforce the same wisdom. Good friendship inspires and brings out the best from you while bad friendship corrupts the good morals within you. Go for virtues friends who will instill sound values in you. Going the other way round will definitely lead to your downfall in one way or the other.
5. True Friends are supportive and reliable – Proverbs 18:24
Proverbs 18:24 – “There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.” Brethren, let no one deceive you that true friendship does not come with reliability and support. It is one of the most important qualities of a good friend. Bible verses about friendship point to the fact that good friendships create bonds that go deeper than brotherly blood relationships. Loyal friends will always be by your side to support and encourage you in hard times. In their supportive nature, they’ll gracefully correct you when you are wrong. They’ll also popup to congratulate you for your achievements.
6. Good friends make sacrifices for you – John 15:13
John 15:13 – “Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” A true or genuine friend is one who knows the importance of sacrifices in strengthening a relationship to last. The Bible verses on friendship point Jesus Christ as the greatest example of a friend. Sacrifice is a fundamental quality for a genuine friendship relationship that will last long. Friendships without sacrifices are those that come without commitment. It is without doubt that such relationships won’t last long. In 1 Samuel 18:4, we read about the genuine friendship that existed between David and Jonathan, the King’s son. The king hated David and had made plans to kill him, but his son, Jonathan, out of the love and respect he had for his friendship with David did not hesitate to endanger his life by informing David. Christ did even more for us.
7. Honorable friends preserve secrets and stay away from gossips – Proverbs 16:28
Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” An honorable friend is one who knows how to keep secrets. Such a person won’t engage into gossips to disclose what he/she knows about you. A friend who gossips is like a thorn in the flesh of those keeping him/her as their companion. In such cases, the friendship relationship becomes a horrible nightmare. Among the qualities of a good friend, the ability to keep secrets is one that can’t be omitted. This is highly supported by the Bible verses on friendship. Note that praiseworthy friends do not gossip. Such friend are out to speak facts and only facts. If they are not sure about something, they maintain their silence. In addition, they also remain silent about the things which you do not want the public to know.
8. Faithful friends put up with our shortcomings and support us – Galatians 6:2
Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.” Most friendship relationships have their own share of troubles. That is, they also face their own ups and downs. That’s why you should not take trouble in a relationship as an excuse to say goodbye. You have to learn and practice tolerance as well as forgiveness. The notions of tolerance and forgiveness can’t be omitted from our list of qualities of a good friend. At times troubles come not to destroy the relationship but to strengthen it in one way or the other. In most cases, it has been noticed that after a period of ups and downs in a relationship, the individuals become more committed and reassured of their sincerity.
What you should know about making and maintaining friends
In order to have a friend, one must be a friend as we can read from Proverbs 27:17 – “As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” In the same light, Proverbs 18:24 says of a good friend: “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Amos 3:3 clearly reveals the principle of genuine friendship: “Can two walk together, except they be agreed?” Behold, friends are of like mind. A friend is one whom you can be yourself with and never fear that he/she will judge or condemn you. A friend is someone that you can confide in with complete trust. A genuine friend is a person that you respect and that he/she equally respects you, not based upon worthiness but based upon a likeness of mind.
Friendship comes with its own challenges and it is the ability to overcome them that reveals our level of maturity.
What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You?
Proverbs 27:10 – “Do not forsake your friend and your father’s friend, and do not go to your brother’s house in the day of your calamity. Better is a neighbor who is near than a brother who is far away.”
Proverbs 18:24 – “A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
Psalm 55:12-14 – “For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God’s house we walked in the throng.“
2 John 1:10-11 – “If anyone comes to you and does not bring this teaching, do not receive him into your house or give him any greeting, for whoever greets him takes part in his wicked works.”
Psalm 27:10 – “For my father and my mother have forsaken me, but the Lord will take me in.”
1 Corinthians 5:11 – “But now I am writing to you not to associate with anyone who bears the name of brother if he is guilty of sexual immorality or greed, or is an idolater, reviler, drunkard, or swindler—not even to eat with such a one.”
Group 1 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Psalm 83:18 – “That they may know that you alone, whose name is the Lord, are the Most High over all the earth.”
Matthew 18:12-17 – “What do you think? If a man has a hundred sheep, and one of them has gone astray, does he not leave the ninety-nine on the mountains and go in search of the one that went astray? And if he finds it, truly, I say to you, he rejoices over it more than over the ninety-nine that never went astray. So it is not the will of my Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish. “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. …“
Matthew 9:11-13 – And when the Pharisees saw this, they said to his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?” But when he heard it, he said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. Go and learn what this means, ‘I desire mercy, and not sacrifice.’ For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.”
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”
Joshua 22:3 – “You have not forsaken your brothers these many days, down to this day, but have been careful to keep the charge of the Lord your God.”
Group 2 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Philippians 3:7-8 – “But whatever gain I had, I counted as loss for the sake of Christ. Indeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ“
2 Timothy 3:16 – “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,“
Romans 8:38-39 – “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
2 Corinthians 6:14-18 – “Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness? What accord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion does a believer share with an unbeliever? What agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; as God said, “I will make my dwelling among them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you, and I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughters to me, says the Lord Almighty.”
Group 3 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Luke 6:42-44 – “How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye. “For no good tree bears bad fruit, nor again does a bad tree bear good fruit, for each tree is known by its own fruit. For figs are not gathered from thornbushes, nor are grapes picked from a bramble bush.”
Luke 21:16-17 – “You will be delivered up even by parents and brothers and relatives and friends, and some of you they will put to death. You will be hated by all for my name’s sake.”
Hebrews 13:5 – Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”
Psalm 119:115-117 – “Depart from me, you evildoers, that I may keep the commandments of my God. Uphold me according to your promise, that I may live, and let me not be put to shame in my hope! Hold me up, that I may be safe and have regard for your statutes continually!“
Revelation 2:4 – “But I have this against you, that you have abandoned the love you had at first.”
Genesis 2:18 – Then the Lord God said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”
Group 4 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Isaiah 49:13-16 – “Sing for joy, O heavens, and exult, O earth; break forth, O mountains, into singing! For the Lord has comforted his people and will have compassion on his afflicted. But Zion said, “The Lord has forsaken me; my Lord has forgotten me.” “Can a woman forget her nursing child, that she should have no compassion on the son of her womb? Even these may forget, yet I will not forget you. Behold, I have engraved you on the palms of my hands; your walls are continually before me.”
Proverbs 13:20 – “Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.”
1 Timothy 5:8 – “But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Matthew 10:21-22 – “Brother will deliver brother over to death, and the father his child, and children will rise against parents and have them put to death, and you will be hated by all for my name’s sake. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.”
Group 5 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
2 Samuel 16:16-17 – And when Hushai the Archite, David’s friend, came to Absalom, Hushai said to Absalom, “Long live the king! Long live the king!” And Absalom said to Hushai, “Is this your loyalty to your friend? Why did you not go with your friend?”
Philippians 4:19-20 – “And my God will supply every need of yours according to his riches in glory in Christ Jesus. To our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.”
Ephesians 2:18-20 – “For through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus himself being the cornerstone,”
2 Chronicles 25:1-28 – “Amaziah was twenty-five years old when he began to reign, and he reigned twenty-nine years in Jerusalem. His mother’s name was Jehoaddan of Jerusalem. And he did what was right in the eyes of the Lord, yet not with a whole heart. And as soon as the royal power was firmly his, he killed his servants who had struck down the king his father. But he did not put their children to death, according to what is written in the Law, in the Book of Moses, where the Lord commanded, “Fathers shall not die because of their children, nor children die because of their fathers, but each one shall die for his own sin.” Then Amaziah assembled the men of Judah and set them by fathers’ houses under commanders of thousands and of hundreds for all Judah and Benjamin. …“
Group 6 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
1 Corinthians 10:24 – “Let no one seek his own good, but the good of his neighbor.“
Galatians 6:1-3 – “Brothers, if anyone is caught in any transgression, you who are spiritual should restore him in a spirit of gentleness. Keep watch on yourself, lest you too be tempted. Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks he is something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.“
John 15:1-2 – “I am the true vine, and my Father is the vinedresser. Every branch in me that does not bear fruit he takes away, and every branch that does bear fruit he prunes, that it may bear more fruit.”
Matthew 6:14-15 – “For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you, but if you do not forgive others their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.“
James 2:22-24 – “You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.“
Group 7 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Galatians 3:14 – “So that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles, so that we might receive the promised Spirit through faith.”
Hebrews 3:1-6 – “Therefore, holy brothers, you who share in a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the apostle and high priest of our confession, who was faithful to him who appointed him, just as Moses also was faithful in all God’s house. For Jesus has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses—as much more glory as the builder of a house has more honor than the house itself. (For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God.) Now Moses was faithful in all God’s house as a servant, to testify to the things that were to be spoken later, …“
Luke 10:30-35 – Jesus replied, “A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, and he fell among robbers, who stripped him and beat him and departed, leaving him half dead. Now by chance a priest was going down that road, and when he saw him he passed by on the other side. So likewise a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he journeyed, came to where he was, and when he saw him, he had compassion. He went to him and bound up his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he set him on his own animal and brought him to an inn and took care of him. …”
Group 8 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
1 Corinthians 6:4-6 – “So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?“
2 Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.“
Acts 13:22 – “And when he had removed him, he raised up David to be their king, of whom he testified and said, ‘I have found in David the son of Jesse a man after my heart, who will do all my will.’“
1 Corinthians 6:4-6 – “So if you have such cases, why do you lay them before those who have no standing in the church? I say this to your shame. Can it be that there is no one among you wise enough to settle a dispute between the brothers, but brother goes to law against brother, and that before unbelievers?“
Acts 10:34-35 – So Peter opened his mouth and said: “Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him.”
John 15:14 – “You are my friends if you do what I command you.“
Group 9 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
John 15:19-21 – “If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.“
John 15:13-15 – “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.“
John 14:27-28 – “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid. You heard me say to you, ‘I am going away, and I will come to you.’ If you loved me, you would have rejoiced, because I am going to the Father, for the Father is greater than I.“
Group 10 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
John 1:10-12 – “He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him. He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him. But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,”
Mark 3:32-35 – And a crowd was sitting around him, and they said to him, “Your mother and your brothers are outside, seeking you.” And he answered them, “Who are my mother and my brothers?” And looking about at those who sat around him, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers! For whoever does the will of God, he is my brother and sister and mother.”
Mark 10:8-9 – “And the two shall become one flesh.’ So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate.”
Mark 2:21-22 – “No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment. If he does, the patch tears away from it, the new from the old, and a worse tear is made. And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. If he does, the wine will burst the skins—and the wine is destroyed, and so are the skins. But new wine is for fresh wineskins.”
Matthew 26:33 – Peter answered him, “Though they all fall away because of you, I will never fall away.”
Group 11 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Matthew 11:19 – “The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and they say, ‘Look at him! A glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners!’ Yet wisdom is justified by her deeds.”
Matthew 18:15-17 – “If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone. If he listens to you, you have gained your brother. But if he does not listen, take one or two others along with you, that every charge may be established by the evidence of two or three witnesses. If he refuses to listen to them, tell it to the church. And if he refuses to listen even to the church, let him be to you as a Gentile and a tax collector.“
Matthew 26:50-51 – “Jesus said to him, “Friend, do what you came to do.” Then they came up and laid hands on Jesus and seized him. And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear.“
Matthew 19:7-8 – They said to him, “Why then did Moses command one to give a certificate of divorce and to send her away?” He said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart Moses allowed you to divorce your wives, but from the beginning it was not so.
Group 12 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Matthew 26:14-15 – Then one of the twelve, whose name was Judas Iscariot, went to the chief priests and said, “What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him thirty pieces of silver.
Mark 10:29-31 – Jesus said, “Truly, I say to you, there is no one who has left house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or lands, for my sake and for the gospel, who will not receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and lands, with persecutions, and in the age to come eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Ezekiel 18:30-32 – “Therefore I will judge you, O house of Israel, every one according to his ways, declares the Lord God. Repent and turn from all your transgressions, lest iniquity be your ruin. Cast away from you all the transgressions that you have committed, and make yourselves a new heart and a new spirit! Why will you die, O house of Israel? For I have no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Lord God; so turn, and live.”
Matthew 5:8-9 – “Blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. “Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called sons of God.
Group 13 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Jeremiah 9:4-6 – “Let everyone beware of his neighbor, and put no trust in any brother, for every brother is a deceiver, and every neighbor goes about as a slanderer. Everyone deceives his neighbor, and no one speaks the truth; they have taught their tongue to speak lies; they weary themselves committing iniquity. Heaping oppression upon oppression, and deceit upon deceit, they refuse to know me, declares the Lord.”
Jeremiah 31:3-4 – “The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Again I will build you, and you shall be built, O virgin Israel! Again you shall adorn yourself with tambourines and shall go forth in the dance of the merrymakers.”
Isaiah 49:23 – “Kings shall be your foster fathers, and their queens your nursing mothers. With their faces to the ground they shall bow down to you, and lick the dust of your feet. Then you will know that I am the Lord; those who wait for me shall not be put to shame.”
Isaiah 65:17-18 – “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind. But be glad and rejoice forever in that which I create; for behold, I create Jerusalem to be a joy, and her people to be a gladness.“
Group 14 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Proverbs 22:11-12 – “He who loves purity of heart, and whose speech is gracious, will have the king as his friend. The eyes of the Lord keep watch over knowledge, but he overthrows the words of the traitor.”
Proverbs 4:13-15 – “Keep hold of instruction; do not let go; guard her, for she is your life. Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of the evil. Avoid it; do not go on it; turn away from it and pass on.”
Proverbs 1:10-19 – My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. If they say, “Come with us, let us lie in wait for blood; let us ambush the innocent without reason; like Sheol let us swallow them alive, and whole, like those who go down to the pit; we shall find all precious goods, we shall fill our houses with plunder; throw in your lot among us; we will all have one purse”— …
Isaiah 1:16-18 – “Wash yourselves; make yourselves clean; remove the evil of your deeds from before my eyes; cease to do evil, learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause. “Come now, let us reason together, says the Lord: though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they shall become like wool.“
Proverbs 19:6-7 – “Many seek the favor of a generous man, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts. All a poor man’s brothers hate him; how much more do his friends go far from him! He pursues them with words, but does not have them.”
Group 15 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Proverbs 3:3-6 – “Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you; bind them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. So you will find favor and good success in the sight of God and man. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.“
Psalm 136:25-26 – “He who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever. Give thanks to the God of heaven, for his steadfast love endures forever.”
Psalm 119:105 – “Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path.”
Psalm 136:23-24 – “It is he who remembered us in our low estate, for his steadfast love endures forever; and rescued us from our foes, for his steadfast love endures forever;“
Psalm 119:62-64 – “At midnight I rise to praise you, because of your righteous rules. I am a companion of all who fear you, of those who keep your precepts. The earth, O Lord, is full of your steadfast love; teach me your statutes!“
Psalm 100:4-5 – “Enter his gates with thanksgiving, and his courts with praise! Give thanks to him; bless his name! For the Lord is good; his steadfast love endures forever, and his faithfulness to all generations.“
Group 16 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Psalm 101:4-8 – “A perverse heart shall be far from me; I will know nothing of evil. Whoever slanders his neighbor secretly I will destroy. Whoever has a haughty look and an arrogant heart I will not endure. I will look with favor on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; he who walks in the way that is blameless shall minister to me. No one who practices deceit shall dwell in my house; no one who utters lies shall continue before my eyes. Morning by morning I will destroy all the wicked in the land, cutting off all the evildoers from the city of the Lord.“
Psalm 89:1-4 – A Maskil of Ethan the Ezrahite. I will sing of the steadfast love of the Lord, forever; with my mouth I will make known your faithfulness to all generations. For I said, “Steadfast love will be built up forever; in the heavens you will establish your faithfulness.” You have said, “I have made a covenant with my chosen one; I have sworn to David my servant: ‘I will establish your offspring forever, and build your throne for all generations.’” Selah
Group 17 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Psalm 7:3-6 – “O Lord my God, if I have done this, if there is wrong in my hands, if I have repaid my friend with evil or plundered my enemy without cause, let the enemy pursue my soul and overtake it, and let him trample my life to the ground and lay my glory in the dust. Selah Arise, O Lord, in your anger; lift yourself up against the fury of my enemies; awake for me; you have appointed a judgment.“
Psalm 34:13-15 – “Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking deceit. Turn away from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the Lord are toward the righteous and his ears toward their cry.“
Psalm 34:17-19 – “When the righteous cry for help, the Lord hears and delivers them out of all their troubles. The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit. Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all.”
Psalm 68:4-6 – “Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the Lord; exult before him! Father of the fatherless and protector of widows is God in his holy habitation. God settles the solitary in a home; he leads out the prisoners to prosperity, but the rebellious dwell in a parched land.”
Group 18 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Job 16:1-5 – Then Job answered and said: “I have heard many such things; miserable comforters are you all. Shall windy words have an end? Or what provokes you that you answer? I also could speak as you do, if you were in my place; I could join words together against you and shake my head at you. I could strengthen you with my mouth, and the solace of my lips would assuage your pain.”
Psalm 1:1-2 – “Blessed is the man who walks not in the counsel of the wicked, nor stands in the way of sinners, nor sits in the seat of scoffers; but his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night.“
2 Chronicles 13:4-7 – “Then Abijah stood up on Mount Zemaraim that is in the hill country of Ephraim and said, “Hear me, O Jeroboam and all Israel! Ought you not to know that the Lord God of Israel gave the kingship over Israel forever to David and his sons by a covenant of salt? Yet Jeroboam the son of Nebat, a servant of Solomon the son of David, rose up and rebelled against his lord, and certain worthless scoundrels gathered about him and defied Rehoboam the son of Solomon, when Rehoboam was young and irresolute and could not withstand them.”
Group 19 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
1 Kings 8:56-58 – “Blessed be the Lord who has given rest to his people Israel, according to all that he promised. Not one word has failed of all his good promise, which he spoke by Moses his servant. The Lord our God be with us, as he was with our fathers. May he not leave us or forsake us, that he may incline our hearts to him, to walk in all his ways and to keep his commandments, his statutes, and his rules, which he commanded our fathers.“
1 Kings 6:12-13 – “Concerning this house that you are building, if you will walk in my statutes and obey my rules and keep all my commandments and walk in them, then I will establish my word with you, which I spoke to David your father. And I will dwell among the children of Israel and will not forsake my people Israel.”
Group 20 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
1 Kings 12:4-11 – ““Your father made our yoke heavy. Now therefore lighten the hard service of your father and his heavy yoke on us, and we will serve you.” He said to them, “Go away for three days, then come again to me.” So the people went away. Then King Rehoboam took counsel with the old men, who had stood before Solomon his father while he was yet alive, saying, “How do you advise me to answer this people?” And they said to him, “If you will be a servant to this people today and serve them, and speak good words to them when you answer them, then they will be your servants forever.” But he abandoned the counsel that the old men gave him and took counsel with the young men who had grown up with him and stood before him. …“
2 Samuel 15:6 – “Thus Absalom did to all of Israel who came to the king for judgment. So Absalom stole the hearts of the men of Israel.“
Group 21 – What Does The Bible Say About Friends Turning Against You
Genesis 37:23-24 – “So when Joseph came to his brothers, they stripped him of his robe, the robe of many colors that he wore. And they took him and threw him into a pit. The pit was empty; there was no water in it.“
Matthew 10:36-38 – “And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.“
Exodus 33:11 – “Thus the Lord used to speak to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend. When Moses turned again into the camp, his assistant Joshua the son of Nun, a young man, would not depart from the tent.”
Deuteronomy 4:31 – “For the Lord your God is a merciful God. He will not leave you or destroy you or forget the covenant with your fathers that he swore to them.”
Bestofchristianity.com is a Global Media Ministry. As a Christian Website and Online Evangelical Ministry, Best Of Christianity focuses on the teachings of Jesus Christ, the power of the Holy spirit, and above all the Love of God. It uses the Bible as the foundation to knowing and obeying God. It steps in at the command of Jesus Christ to take the holy gospel to the four corners of the world so that those who believe in him can have eternal life. Under the authority of Jesus Christ, we are Apostolic and Prophetic sons and daughters of God sent out to set the captives free, heal the sick, bring deliverance, give sight to the blind, strengthen the lame to walk and above all lead souls to heaven. It is in the Christian light that we analyze topics like Prosperity, Wealth, Debt free, Credits, Finance, and Money in the Bible.
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