Let us take a look at friendship from the
book of Proverbs. There are true friends and there are friends that will
disappear as soon as the gifts or the money is gone (Proverbs 19:4). Still as certain as
there will be shallow friendships which fade at the slightest provocation,
there will also be deep abiding relationships that will be of more importance
than those of one’s personal family (18: 24). In fact a person is advised to go their friends
that are near instead of seeking their brother who is far away (27:10).
Above the functioning of a good
neighbor, a person must always be careful to avoid unwise transactions and
foolish fellowships with deceitful and angry men (16:29). It is clearly evident that the writers of
Proverbs realized the treachery of wicked people who will disguise themselves as
friends to accomplish their desires. These evil people are really enemies and
should never be chosen as friends. In addition to being aware of deceit, there
is also the warning to not become controlled by acquaintances by being indebted
to them in matters of money.
There are ways of determining the
character of a friendship such as the intensity or deepness of the relationship
but sometimes only time and trouble will only be able to pierce the veil of
emotion and perspective. This fact is shown in the warning to watch for the flattery of the
deceitful (29:5). At certain times a person can fall for the deceitful lies of others
who could turn out to be enemies and only flatter for their own reasons.
Instead
of being even enticed by their claims, a person should seek true friends and
the friends of their father (27:10). These friends have proven the test of
time and difficulties and have remained faithful. Thus one should be careful with
any new friendship until the true character of a new friend can be determined.
All of us soon learn in our life experience, that we cannot believe all we hear, but we must
discern the truth. The same principle is true in friendships, as it is only the
foolish person who falls for the flattery and kisses of an enemy disguised as a
friend (27:6). There might be times
of difficulty, when it might be tempting to listen to the lies of enemies but
we should realize that truth is found in the honestly of true friendship. The
consequences of following a true friend’s advice will be good even though at
the time it might seem awkward and bitter to swallow. If a friend is honest, the
advice is for your good and only meant to help you along the way.
The
constancy of a true friend is solid like a rock and gives us a place to stand
in good and bad times. The test of time is present in the dynamic of constancy
as a the test of dedication of a friendship (17:17).
Those that depart at the first hint of danger are not close, dependable
or true friends but fair-weather friends who only seek your friendship because
of the benefit it offers to them. These kinds of acquaintances are in direct
contrast to friends that are closer then brothers and true, loyal and the
lifelong friends of our families.
A good friendship is a priceless
treasure that is impossible to buy or obtain in any way except by finding and
keeping the true friendships one finds throughout their life. A good friendship
is compared with perfume and oil, which in Biblical times was as priceless a
commodity as gold or silver (27:9). The truth about true friendships is
this … a true, loyal and lasting friendship is worth more than many boxes of
gold, silver or rare and costly perfume.
Thank
you, Heavenly Father for giving us the blessing of friendships and everything those
friendships mean to us.
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