The Influential Friend

“Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.” (Proverbs 13:20)

You become like the people you hang with. This proverb is that simple. Our friendships will influence us – for the good and the bad.

If you spend your time developing friendships with people that get drunk on the weekends and don’t remember what they said or did after they have had too much alcohol, that will eventually be your destiny. You can only be a “designated driver” for so long; eventually, you will join them.

If you spend your time developing friendships with people who spend countless hours playing video games and neglecting their families, you will eventually follow their example. Your kids and spouse will long for quality and quantity time, and they won’t find it.

If you spend your time with a other spouses that are unkind and critical of their spouses, you will eventually “cut down” your spouse in public as well.

Friendships beget like friendships. Friends who tempt us to sin will lead us to sin (Prov 1:10). Friends with ill intent for us will eventually get victory over us (Prov 1:18).

Now, none of this means that we should not be a friend of sinners, like Jesus (Luke 7:31-34). We should seek to influence people as salt and light (Matt 5:13-16). We should be faithful ambassadors of Christ for a lost world (II Cor 5:20).

But, we must also realize that we are weak. We are easily influenced. We can quickly get caught up in what is comfortable and forget what is right.

What are the most influential friendships in your life? Are they making you holier? Do you know more about Christ as a result of these friendships? Would Jesus be comfortable at your gatherings with your closest friends?