“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and so does the sweetness of a friend that comes from his earnest counsel.”

Proverbs 27:9:

The soundest advice comes from His Word- therefore, friends who remind us of helpful Scriptures are wise counselors. They keep us on the right path, they rejoice in the LORD and give Him glory and refer to Him during times of tribulation, and in times of joy.

A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. (Proverbs 17:17, NLT)  

A friend is there to sit and talk, or to listen. They are sent to us as a genuine gift from God. Friends are important parts of our lives, and segments of our connection to God Himself. We are all His children, therefore…we are all one body in Christ.

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. (Proverbs 18:24, NLT)

A true friend doesn’t even have to be in the same vicinity geographically.  I’ve some pretty close friends that I rely on, and trust implicitly who are in different States in the USA. And, I have four good friends who are across the globe, across the continents and oceans away!  Yet, I am close to them, spiritually, emotionally, and consider them my brothers and sisters.

Don’t befriend angry people or associate with hot-tempered people, or you will learn to be like them and endanger your soul. (Proverbs 22:24-25, NLT)

Ostensibly, a bad-tempered foul-mouthed individual is not one I’d encourage to be a friend, in the sense of the word. We are to be courteous, and not hinder hate or hostility towards another individual. However, it could be detrimental to us in terms of festering in that kind of negativity, which can promote a stronghold of anti-Christian behavior overall.

As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend. (Proverbs 27:17, NLT)

We all need checks and balances in life. And friends help each other and remind each other about the goodness of God. Pointing out His promises, helping to forge forward in support and inspiring us to keep on the up and up. And Vice-Versa.

The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense. (Proverbs 27:9, NLT)

True altruistic love for a friend is sweeter than honey and more valuable than gems. It is the standard on which Jesus’ speaks about concerning love. Godly counsel from a friend is a veritable treasure in which there are no words.

An open rebuke is better than hidden love! Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. (Proverbs 27:5-6, NLT)

At the same time truth can be painfully unmoving. It can be tough to deal with, but better to come from a friend than an enemy. We owe it to ourselves as children of Christ to offer only truth, and love when dealing with friends and loved ones.

After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. (1 Samuel 18:1-3, NLT) 

We are ultimately drawn to a person of integrity, compassion, and love for Christ. We know them by their fruits, as Jesus said to His followers. We instinctually want to be around this type of individual. As David and Jonathan’s deep bond of love and friendship illustrates. They depended on each other and loved each other deeply. So too, are our friends of today.

This is why I am so blessed to have friends close by, and across the oceans and continents. We are all connected by the Blood of Christ. We are all bonded in His love, and all have been redeemed by His sacrifice for us. We share the same love of God, the same values, and follow the same commandments. Some more openly than others. Some more inwardly. But both loving God and each other.

Are you grateful for your friends? Have you thanked God for them lately?

“Father, thank You for the friends You’ve sent into my life, so many have come through the years, some for a season, some longer, some have been called home to You, I thank You for the gift of friendship, those of yesterday, today, and tomorrow, and in the eternity to come, in Jesus’ name,  Amen.”