“Choose your friends wisely” is an adage with profound spiritual implications. Many choose their friends based on shared interests in things in this world, be it sports teams, fashion, food, or entertainment choices. In my experience and observation, very few choose their relationships based on how spiritually nourishing they think they will be.
This begs the question of why we would want friends who lead us into a deeper appreciation of things of the flesh rather than those who would help us grow closer to God. If our goal is to live wholly devoted to Christ, we’re going to need to surround ourselves with people who will help us along that path.
I’ll be transparent and vulnerable here. I don’t have a lot of friends at this stage of my life. While some seem to accumulate an ever-growing list of friends as they age, I pare my list down. It’s not that I’m unpleasant or a terrible friend. It’s not even that I don’t think I need friends. The reason is that the more I make my life about Christ, the less interest I have in hanging around people who don’t have that same desire.
I grew up as a sports fanatic. Baseball was a particular obsession, but you could find me watching football, basketball, and tennis whenever they were on television. My conversations would often revolve around sports or music, and not much else. For a couple of decades, politics was also in the mix. These days, when the conversation turns to any of those topics, I will excuse myself and walk away. I want to talk about Jesus, and not much else.
I’m sure there are more than a few of you shaking your heads in disgust or pity right now. That’s okay. I still like and appreciate you, but we probably won’t ever be fast friends. When choosing friends, I want people who will help me grow in the Lord, hold me accountable for seeking holiness, and help me get back up when I sin. I want friends who are far more excited about studying the Bible than hanging out at the trendiest club, watching a game, or going to a concert. I want friends who want Jesus.
In the same way, I implore you to choose your friends wisely. Not because I think it’s what you should do, but because the Bible says you should. In his letter to the Church in Colossae, Paul writes we should be “teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God” (Colossians 3:16). We need friends who will do those things together with us, and for us.
Proverbs 13:20 warns if we have friends who are fools, we will suffer harm. Conversely, if we have wise friends, we will become wiser. Who is more foolish than the one who pursues earthly gain over heavenly treasures (Matthew 6:19-21)? Who is wiser than the one who seeks God? Poor company corrupts good morals and judgment (1 Corinthians 15:33). King David avoided worthless and two-faced people (Psalm 26:4-5). He knew what we all must learn. You must choose your friends wisely.
Choose friends who will enrich your spiritual life and draw you closer to Christ. Avoid those who will lead you to ruin (Proverbs 14:12; Proverbs 13:6). Don’t conform yourself to this world (Romans 12:2). Rather, be holy as He is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16). If holiness is to be your obsession, you’re going to have to choose your friends wisely. Don’t let anything distract or derail you from seeking and loving Jesus.