Counsels on Relationships

Counsel #4 — Qualities Of A True Friend

Picture: Counsel #4 — Qualities of a True Friend CR 22.1

Booker T. Washington once said, “Associate yourself with people of good quality, for it is better to be alone than in bad company.”^[19] CR 22.2

Friends have tremendous influence. Either they uplift you and bring you closer to God, or they bring you down and further away from God. Good friends will encourage you, energize you and make you happier by being around them, while toxic friends may be hurtful, combative, degrading, and encourage negative behavior. CR 22.3

Over the next few days, we’ll take a look at some additional qualities of true friendship.^[20]  CR 22.4

“The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray.” Proverbs 12:26 NKJV CR 22.5

“The youth who are in harmony with Christ will choose companions who will help them in right doing, and will shun society that gives no aid in the development of right principles and noble purposes.” Ellen White in Counsels to Teachers, Parents, and Students, p. 226 CR 22.6

Reflect: Have you ever considered the spiritual impact your friends have on your choices, whether positive or negative? What kind of friend are you? CR 22.7