5 Reasons You Need Christian Friends

By: Kevin Jackson
​@kevindjackson
​
How many friends do you have? How many of those can you really trust with anything? How many encourage you, challenge you and help you grow in your faith? As you ask yourself those questions, I bet the numbers start to dwindle down with each question.
 
In this time of social media, many people can claim to have hundreds if not thousands of “friends”. Truth is, most are acquaintances or just people in our life that make up your local community or daily life. But as you look around your life and take stock of your relationships, look at how many Christian friends you have, the ones who understand your love for Jesus and share in your Christian journey.
 
One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.  ~ Proverbs 18:24
 
Below are 5 reasons to be surrounded with Christian friends:

1) They Will Support You

Christians typically have good, Godly values and are part of a church family. So, they understand the meaning of being part of a community and taking care of others. When times are tough they will give you encouraging words, give you a hug or bring you dinner. It all goes back to the lessons learned from the Bible and Jesus’ words. If you look at most charities in this world, they are Christian based. We know the meaning of family and the impact we can make is other’s lives.

2) They Ask Tough Questions

When you are having struggles, most people will certainly ask “what’s wrong”, with your response probably being “nothing”. Your Christian friends will dig deeper and won’t let you off so easy. They want to know how you really are. Christians are rooted in forgiveness and will work with you to ask for forgiveness for things you have done or encourage you to forgive others. No matter what you might be going through right now, let your Christian friends press you with tough questions. This is will help you open up and get past anything you are dealing with.

3) They Hold You Accountable

When is the last time you heard “we missed you at church”? Seems judgy, but in reality your fellow Christians care about you and want to hold you accountable when you get off track. We are all part of a Christian community and it is our job to encourage us to answer for our decisions and choices.

4) They Provide Godly Advice

I know, everyone has an opinion. But with your true, Christian friends, theirs is rooted in love and really meant to help you out. All the answers you need are in the Bible. A good Christian friend can help you relate your situation to God’s word and there you will find the guidance you need. Jesus’ words are all that is required and are always relatable to anything you are dealing with. So many times I have been so surprised to find a passage in the Bible that makes everything make sense. It continues to amaze me. Christian friends will guide you on God’s principles and offer you advice that is genuine and honest.
 
5. They Will Pray for You

Who couldn't use a little more prayer sometimes? You see it all the time on Facebook when someone post that they are having troubles. “Praying”. “Sending Good Vibes”. Good vibes? What in the world are those? With 2 good vibes and a few bucks I can buy a bowl of soup. Geez. Christian friends really do pray for you and ask God to help in your life. When you become really close, they will even pray with you. There is no closer bond than the ability to talk to God together with your Christian brother or sister.
 
The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray. ~ Proverbs 12:26
 
Now, don’t get me wrong, you don't have to segment yourself away from your non-Christian or not-actively Christian friends. They bring their own benefits and challenges. God wants us to make disciples that make disciples. So, maybe you need to look at the above list and take stock in how good of a Christian friend you are, not just to your Christian friends, but your non-Christian ones as well. We are all in this together, one big family of sinners looking for salvation and all loved by our Father.