We all need friends because God created us to connect with others in caring relationships. The Bible warns that some people who claim to be true friends are in fact false friends who do more harm than good. What does the Bible say about false friends? Discovering them is essential to enjoying healthy friendships.
What are fake friends/how to identify them
False friends are people who appear to be friends at first but prove to be too selfish and untrustworthy to be true friends. They may speak and act compassionately at times. But when we ask them for what they need, they often run away from friendship because they are only concerned with their own needs. . They are self-centered and lack genuine compassion for others. Fake friends can also deliberately trick us to get what they want. they can manipulate us. They may flatter us not because they really appreciate us, but because they want to persuade us to do something for them, such as lending them money they have no intention of paying back. Hmm. They might betray us. When we give them personal information, they listen like they care and may turn around and gossip about us to other people. It does more harm than good to our relationship with God. Real friends encourage us in our faith, while false friends are critical and discouraging. True friends bring us closer to God, but false friends keep us away from God.
What Does the Bible Say About False Friends?
The Bible has many verses about false friends, including these important verses.
Proverbs 12:26: “The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the ways of the wicked lead them astray.”
Psalm 41:9: “Even a close friend whom I trusted let me down. I shared my bread with him.”
Proverbs 13:20: “Walk with the wise and be wise, for the company of fools will be harmed.”
1 Corinthians 15:33: “Don’t get me wrong: ‘Bad company ruins good character.'”
Proverbs 3:32: “The Lord detests the perverse, but puts the righteous into his trust.”
Jeremiah 9:4: “Watch out friends. Don’t trust your own family members. All of them cheat. Any friend will lie.”
Psalm 55:12-14: “I can put up with being teased by the enemy. If he prepared to go against me, I could hide. But it’s you, someone like me. That’s my companion, is a close friend of mine.
We were enjoying good friendship in God’s house. We walked together among those who came to worship. ”
1 John 4:7-8: “Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves is born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God. God because it’s love.”
John 13:35“By this everyone will know that you are my disciple if you love one another.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10: “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor. If one of them falls, one can help the other. But, I feel sorry for people who fall because there is no one to help them.”
Proverbs 17:17: “Friends always love, brothers are born for adversity.”
Romans 12:15: “Rejoice with those who rejoice. Mourn with those who mourn.”
Proverbs 27:9: “Perfumes and incense bring joy to the heart, and heartfelt advice brings joy to friends.”
Proverbs 22:24-26: “Don’t be friends with impatient people. Don’t associate with people who get angry easily. Otherwise, you may find yourself trapped by learning their ways.”
Proverbs 20:19: “Gossiping betrays trust. So avoid people who talk too much.”
Proverbs 16:28: “Perverse people cause conflict, and gossip separates close friends.”
Proverbs 26:23-25: “The enemy camouflages with his lips, but hides deceit in his heart. Their way of speaking is charming, but do not trust their hearts.
Proverbs 19:4: “Wealth brings many friends. But even the poor man’s closest friends desert them.”
Proverbs 19:6-7: “Many seek the favor of the ruler. And everyone is a friend of the gift-giver. The poor are shunned by all their families. Their friends shun them even more. Poor. People chase their friends to get help, but they can’t find it.”
Psalm 38:11: “Because of my wounds, my friends and associates avoid me. My neighbors are far from me.”
Proverbs 4:14-16: “Don’t go in the way of the wicked, don’t live like a sinner. Turn away from their ways and don’t walk in their ways. Then turn away and go your way. Sinners , they cannot rest until they do evil, they cannot sleep until they make someone sin.”
Psalm 28:3: “Do not drag me out with the wicked, the evildoers, those who speak kindly to their neighbors but have malice in their hearts.”
Proverbs 27:6: “You can trust your friends’ wounds. But your enemies will kiss you again and again.”
Luke 22:47-48: “While Jesus was still speaking, a crowd gathered. A man named Judas was leading them. He was one of the twelve disciples. Judas approached to kiss Jesus. But Jesus asked him, “Judas, will you hand over the Son of Man with a kiss?”
A Christian Approach to Dealing with False Friends and Setting Boundaries
Your time and energy are limited, so don’t waste precious resources on fake friendships. Building boundaries (rules for interacting in a healthy way) into your friendships will help you and your friends enjoy the kind of relationship God wants you to have. . Here’s how to deal with fake friends and set boundaries.
If you know for sure that someone is a fake friend, end the friendship without guilt. You don’t have to feel guilty about leaving someone who is abusive to you. Remember your incredible worth as one of God’s beloved children. You deserve to be treated well. If not, you need to move forward to protect your own happiness and live honestly instead of compromising for fake friends.
Express your feelings and needs honestly. Whatever the situation, be open with your friends about how you feel and what you need. Tell them exactly what you need to feel valued and respected in your relationship, and let them know what you need in order to feel the same way. . How best to set boundaries on all aspects of a friendship, such as frequency of communication, what is appropriate to say to each other, what can be asked of each other, and how to agree on decisions that affect each other. Have a frank discussion. , and the freedom to share and respectfully agree to disagree.
Do not tolerate rudeness. Whenever your friend doesn’t respect your boundaries, call it attention and refuse to tolerate abuse. Let them know you care about them. Confirm your commitment to do the same for them. If an argument arises when confronting disrespect, ask God to send both wisdom and peace to settle the dispute and move forward in stronger friendship.
Focus on friends who want to get closer to God with youFalse friendships keep you away from God, but true friendships bring you closer to God.Prioritize your spiritual pursuits and choose friendships with people who want to continue growing in faith with you. wake up to wonder, Describes research showing how pursuing God’s wonders with others promotes good behavior in relationships. When people encounter the wonders of God and are awed, their brains change in a direction that leads to good. Areas of the brain that establish a sense of self in the world are partially shut down, while areas that control emotions become more active, releasing dopamine (a chemical that makes people feel good). As a result, people become more aware of their connections with others and choose the good. People who are focused on God together can naturally develop good friendships with each other.
Conclusion
Learning and applying what the Bible says about fake friends is essential to keeping your friendships healthy. God wants the best for you in every aspect of your life, including your friendships. When you and your friends center your relationship with God in your lives, God’s love flows between you, empowering you to enjoy good friendships together.
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