How to Be a True Friend

Friends are such wonderful gifts in our lives. We may have many friends, or a few close friends, but they all have great value. Are you a good friend to your friends? Proverbs shares some wisdom about how to be a true friend. Here are some steps you can take that may make you the type of friend you want to be.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Bible

1. Don't gossip about your friends. Proverbs 11:13 says, "A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret." How do you handle private information that a friend shares with you? Can you be trusted? What do you do if someone else starts gossiping about your friend? Do you join in, or do you attempt to stop the gossiping by sharing that you don't appreciate it?

2. Don't be a fair-weather friend; stay with your friend even if she is going through challenges in life. Proverbs 18:24 says, "A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother." For example, if a friend is suffering from cancer, don't leave her because it's too hard to deal with or you're uncomfortable with it. She needs you more than ever.

3. Don't be a pest. Proverbs 25:17 says, "Seldom set foot in your neighbor's house-too much of you, and he will hate you." There's a book called "Boundaries" that addresses this issue. It's important to know when you're not monopolizing all of your friend's time and energy.

4. Accept correction from a friend. Proverbs 27:6 says, "Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses." No one wants you to succeed more than a true friend. As a friend, he will lovingly correct you so that you can be put back on the good path. An enemy who wants you to fail may falsely compliment you with your failure in mind. He will steer you away from the good path.

5. When problems arise, trust your friends to help you who are nearby. Don't go to a relative simply because she is blood relative, especially if she is a far distance from you. Proverbs 27:9-10 says, "Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of one's friend springs from his earnest counsel. Do not forsake your friend and the friend of your father, and do not go to your brother's house when disaster strikes you-better a neighbor nearby than a brother far away." Show that you are a true friend by showing your trust to your friends and allowing them to help you when you are in trouble.

Tips & Warnings

• Meditate on these writings of the Bible.