Friday, March 30, 2012

A word about Friends by Elizabeth George

For lack of time for a blog post I am simply going to copy a bit out of a devotional book entitled, A Young Woman After God's Own Heart by Elizabeth George. I think it will be challenging and helpful to all those who read it :)


Friends ~

The bible is very clear and specific when it tells us what kind of person to look for in a friend...and what kind to reject as friends. As you read through these verses, make a mental note about speech, character and conduct of those who are most definitely not to be your friends. You can pray for them, but they are not to be your friends. What are the warning signals to beware of?(P.S., God's warnings apply to friends of the opposite sex as well!) (And another P.S. -- in the Hebrew language, the language the book of Proverbs is written in, the word "friend" and "neighbor" are the same.)

Blessed is the person who does not walk in the fcounsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers (Psalm 1:1)

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 16:29)

Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared (Proverbs 22:24-25)

Do not be misled: "Bad company corrupts good character" (1 Corinthians 15:33)

He who walks with the wise grows wise, but a companion of fools suffers harm (Proverbs 13:20)

Yes, But How?

1. Follow God's rules--God's  rules will save you from a lot of heartache, mistakes, and regrets. Steer clear of people who fall on God's lists of "Do Not's" and actively seek out those who enhance your life as a Christian. And her's a hint--you'll usually fin these people at church or in a Christian youth group.

I like what one man said about friendships formed on the basis of mutual love for God. He wrote these words to describe the qualities at the heart of the friendship between David and Jonathan: They...
...assented to the same authority,
...knew the same God,
...were going the same way,
...longed for the same things,
...dreamed mutual dreams, and
...yearned for the same experiences of holiness and worship

2. Remember it's better to have no friends than to have the wrong friends-- There's nothing wrong with being a late bloomer in the friend department. Hold on to your innocence and character and hold out for friendships with those who make you a better Christian and a better person rather that grasping onto someone--anyone!--just to have a friend. And if you get lonely, God has provided friendships for you. 

First, you have a friend in Jesus! Second, you have friends in your parents! And third, you have friends in your brothers and sisters! 

So, dear sister, do your part. Of course you'll want to spend time with Jesus(after all, that's what a woman after God's own heart does!) But also spend time with your parents and with your brothers and sisters. Be friends with them. Support them. Love them. You'll be building friendships that will last a lifetime! 


Pictures by Kathryn
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Elizabeth George's book is very good and I recommend it to any girl who would like a guide to Friends, Faith, Family, and the Future.


3 comments:

  1. Such a timely post, my friend! Amen and amen to the having no friends rather than having the wrong friends. It's definitely worth it wait to find a kindred spirit - someone who sings the same song as you. (:

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  2. My parents always warn us kids about who we keep company with. This just reinterates what they always say!
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