By Todd Barrier  

Recently we were studying about friends in Bible class and just how important it can be to have good friends.  

Having good friends can have many benefits. The Bible tells us iron sharpens iron, Proverbs 27:17, so having a good friend helps us stay focused on God, and we help each other stay sharp in the Word.  

In Eccl. 4:9-12, the Bible lists many reasons why two is better than one. The verse ends by saying “a threefold cord is not quickly broken.” Good friends within the church help us “hold the rope” when times are tough.  

As good as having friends can be, the Bible warns us to choose our friends wisely. We are reminded in 1 Cor. 15:33 that bad company ruins good morals. A student in Bible class put it simply: “Their bad habits can rub off on you.”  

In Proverbs 12:26 the scriptures tell us the way of the wicked leads us astray. We must make sure our friends are helping to lead us in the right direction and vice versa.  

Friendships are a gift from God when we are trying to lead each other to Heaven and can be a detriment to our eternity if we aren’t careful about the company we keep. What kind of friend are you?