We are now into month ten of our spiritual goals. This month for our theme, we have a list of 31 verses related to “Godly friendship” – one verse to think about each day of the month. While it is not an exhaustive list of verses on friendship and some of the verses apply to relationships besides friendships, we hope that it will prove to be useful and thought-provoking for setting spiritual goals related to Godly friendship. There is also a series of talks titled “As Iron Sharpeneth Iron – Principles Of True Friendship” by Steve McGeorge on www.ChristadelphianBibleTalks.com.
By very definition, “Godly friendship” must begin with God. Godly friendship isn’t about filling a void or seeking our own needs. Godly friendship is the result of God’s love filling us, and flowing out towards others.
- 1 John 4:11, “Beloved, if God so loved us, we also ought to love one another.”
- John 15:13, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.”
- John 13:34-35 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another; as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all will know that you are My disciples, if you have love for one another.”
- Philippians 2:3-4 “Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.”
- 1 Peter 4:10-11, “As each one has received a gift, minister it to one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. If anyone speaks, let him speak as the oracles of God. If anyone ministers, let him do it as with the ability which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.”
- Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, And a brother is born for adversity.
Pray and intercede on behalf of friends.
- 1 Thessalonians 1:2 We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers.
- Philippians 1:3-5 I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now…
- James 5:16 Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.
Bearing burdens.
- Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 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.
- Galatians 6:2 Bear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Godly friendships assist spiritual growth and provide accountability.
- Proverbs 27:17 As iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.
- Hebrews 10:24 And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works.
- Proverbs 27:6 Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Be a good listener.
- James 1:19 So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.
- Proverbs 17:27 He who has knowledge spares his words, And a man of understanding is of a calm spirit.
Be patient and forgiving.
- James 5:19 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door!
- Colossians 3:12-14 Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; bearing with one another, and forgiving one another, if anyone has a complaint against another; even as Christ forgave you, so you also must do. But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.
- 1 Peter 4:9-9 And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.” Be hospitable to one another without grumbling.
Allow no room for gossip.
- Proverbs 17:9, He who covers a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates friends.
- Proverbs 16:28 A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.
- Proverbs 26:20 Where there is no wood, the fire goes out; And where there is no talebearer, strife ceases.
Biblical example of friendship – Jonathan and David
- Be a person after God’s own heart first and foremost. (Jonathan had shown incredible faith in God in his attack on the Philistines, David as a shepherd and against Goliath).
- Seek out those who are likeminded. 1 Samuel 18:1, “Now when he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. (this was from Jonathan seeking out David after he killed Goliath.”
- Commit to the friendship. 1 Samuel 18:3-4, “Then Jonathan and David made a covenant, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan took off the robe that was on him and gave it to David, with his armor, even to his sword and his bow and his belt.”
- Stand up for a friend. 1 Samuel 19:4-5, “Thus Jonathan spoke well of David to Saul his father, and said to him, “Let not the king sin against his servant, against David, because he has not sinned against you, and because his works have been very good toward you. For he took his life in his hands and killed the Philistine, and the Lord brought about a great deliverance for all Israel. You saw it and rejoiced. Why then will you sin against innocent blood, to kill David without a cause?”
- Listen, then provide good counsel. 1 Samuel 20:3-4, “Then David took an oath again, and said, “Your father certainly knows that I have found favor in your eyes, and he has said, ‘Do not let Jonathan know this, lest he be grieved.’ But truly, as the Lord lives and as your soul lives, there is but a step between me and death.” So Jonathan said to David, “Whatever you yourself desire, I will do it for you.”
- Seek out a friend who is in difficulty. 1 Samuel 23:16 Then Jonathan, Saul’s son, arose and went to David in the woods and strengthened his hand in God.
- Keep your promises. 2 Samuel 9:6-7 Now when Mephibosheth the son of Jonathan, the son of Saul, had come to David, he fell on his face and prostrated himself. Then David said, Mephibosheth?” And he answered, “Here is your servant!” So David said to him, “Do not fear, for I will surely show you kindness for Jonathan your father’s sake, and will restore to you all the land of Saul your grandfather; and you shall eat bread at my table continually.”
- Recognize your friends as a gift from God. (Meaning of Jonathan’s name.)
In conclusion…
- “Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-7
The above list can also be downloaded and printed here.
Or this download is a pdf of the verses in form of beautiful verse cards {Thank you to Julie S!}
Here is the monthly journal page, to keep track your goals:
Monthly Discipline Journal Page October
Also don’t forget to print off a monthly attribute page to think through an attribute (or spiritual fruit) that you would like to focus on this month!
