Almost every person has a circle of friends that has contributed to their personality, and influenced the way they act, and even how they perceive the world and treat others.
As followers of Jesus, we are called to be conscious about whom we surround ourselves with as we can be unduly influenced by those who may not be of the same mindset of following Christ’s teaching and commands. Like an immaculately white shirt, we should be conscious enough to avoid getting ourselves “discolored” by worldly ideals that are totally in contrast with Biblical values.
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” Romans 12:2
And so we have to make an inventory of the current friends that we have. Do they support our walk with the Lord, or more importantly do they walk with Him too? Are they also on the same journey of following Jesus, or are they taking us away from the Godly path we are taking?
“Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33
If we have been blessed with a Godly circle of friendship, then we should make sure that we fit the role of a God-given friend at all times. Apart from seeking the Lord together, we must be a manifestation of God’s love in the lives of our friends. We ought to be there for them in times they need us most.
“Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion. But woe to him who is alone when he falls, for he has no one to help him up.” Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
One of the notable stories about friendship written in the Bible was that of Job’s three friends. When Job lost everything and had been afflicted with sores from head to toe, his three friends came to spend time and grieve with him. Although the latter chapters of the book depicted them as a bit of.narrow minded, chastising Job with his possible mistakes, they remain to be a faithful bunch of friends.
The three friends were there for Job at his lowest. They cannot get anything from Him anymore because he lost his livelihood, and he could even be possibly sick with a contagious disease — but still they came to spend time with him. They sat with him for a week, being mournful just as he grieved his situation. They understood that there are circumstances where no words can be said to calm a grieving person.
“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.” Job 2:11
And while they may have said things that could have hurt Job’s feelings later on, Biblical scholars say Job’s three friends can still be considered good friends as they still did some things right.
First, they did not talk about Job behind his back. Second, they listened to what Job had to say, and discussed his dilemma vis-a-vis what they know about God. And then next they did not discuss the matter with other people who are not concerned about Job’s plight or life. If Job’s predicament occured in 2025, it is highly possible that it could have been a subject of some secret chat group of his fake friends.
“And they sat with him on the ground seven days and seven nights, and no one spoke a word to him, for they saw that his suffering was very great.” Job 2:13
And so, as present-day believers, we can take a cue from Job’s friends Eliphaz, Bildad, and Zophar. We have to show up, know when to speak and when not to speak, try our best to encourage our friends to stay in a Godly path, and keep the best interest of our friends at heart.
“Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:5-6
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Job 2:11-13 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you have a Godly circle of friends?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for manifesting your love for me through others. Sorry for the times I have not recognized it right away. In the same breath, thank you for giving me a chance to be an instrument of your love to others through friendship. May you give me the grace of becoming a good friend. Amen.