Closer Than A Brother.Sample

Unreliable Friends. 

Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭‬‬in the New International Version (NIV) states, “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” The NIV expounds on the friend who surrounds themselves with poor counsel, or unreliable friends, will soon come to a ruin. In the multitude of wise and reliable counsel there is safety. Unreliable friends, counsellors and advisors will cause you to shipwreck. Bad advice disrupts destiny. 

Psalm‬ ‭1:1 NIV states‬‬, “Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” If your “friends” are wicked or double minded, then the counsel that you receive is contaminated by their lusts, wicked and controlling desires. Walk not in the counsel of the wicked. Their counsel, legacy and insight blows away like chaff in the wind. Psalm‬ ‭1:4‬ ‭NIV states, “‬‬Not so the wicked! They are like chaff that the wind blows away.” The wicked are not reliable. Gossipers bounce from friendship to friendship stirring up trouble. Be aware of these troublemakers. Proverbs‬ ‭16:28‬ ‭NLT‬‬ states, “A troublemaker plants seeds of strife; gossip separates the best of friends.”

Finally, let’s examine Proverbs‬ ‭18:24‬ ‭‬‬in the Message Version (MSG), “Friends come and friends go, but a true friend sticks by you like family.” In the Message Version, we can see the core of true friendship. True friends are like family. They treat you and protect you like a blood relatives. Consider your circle and allow God to lead your heart and heal your relationships. Choose your friends wisely. Choose to forgive frequently and ask God how to handle the heart of your relationships.