Have you ever stopped to ask yourself: Are the people I spend the most time with helping me grow spiritually—or dragging me down?
It’s an uncomfortable but necessary question.
Friendships shape us more than we realize. The Bible even warns us, “Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character’” (1 Corinthians 15:33). That verse alone should stop us in our tracks and make us reflect on the influence our closest friends have on our walk with Yahweh.
📢 Did you know that the Bible talks about friendship more than you think it does? Discover what the Bible says about friendship and become the true friend God wants you to be. Read my blog, “35 Bible Verses About Friendship and Their Deep Meaning.”
The Power of Influence
Whether we like it or not, we become like the people we surround ourselves with. Their values, speech, and priorities slowly seep into our lives. That’s why it’s crucial to evaluate our friendships from a spiritual perspective.
Ask yourself:
- Do my friends encourage me to obey Yahweh?
- Do they uplift me when I’m spiritually weak?
- Do they point me back to the Word when I’m off track?
If the answer is “no” more often than “yes,” it might be time to reconsider the voices you allow into your life.
What Godly Friendship Looks Like
Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” True, godly friends challenge you to grow. They pray for you, hold you accountable, and stand with you through life’s storms—not just to comfort you but to point you back to Christ.
That doesn’t mean we should cut off every non-Christian friend. Yahshua was known as a friend of sinners (Luke 7:34), but His goal in every friendship was transformation, not conformity.
It’s okay to have friends who are in a different place spiritually, as long as we are the ones doing the influencing—not the other way around.
Let Go to Grow
Sometimes, the most painful thing we can do is let go of a friendship. But if it’s keeping us from fully following Yahweh, we must ask: Is it worth it?
Spiritual maturity often requires hard choices. Yahshua said, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). That may include releasing toxic or distracting relationships.
Choosing friends who strengthen your faith doesn’t mean you’ll only have “perfect” companions. It means you’re surrounding yourself with people who pursue Yahweh alongside you.
And that kind of friendship is priceless.
Want to dive deeper into what the Bible says about friendship?
Read this: 35 Bible Verses About Friendship and Their Deep Meaning
It’s packed with wisdom that can help you identify which friendships are drawing you closer to God—and which ones may be pulling you away.
Let your relationships glorify Yahweh. Don’t settle for friends who are merely fun—choose friends who help you walk faithfully.
Your soul will thank you for it.
