"A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). Genuine friends are a real blessing, adding joy and comfort to our lives.

The Bible has much to say about friends. First, consider the Bible’s teaching concerning the types of people we ought to be friends with. We ought to seek after friends who will be true friends, rather than "fair-weather" friends. "Wealth maketh many friends, but the poor is separated from his neighbor" (Proverbs 19:4). We ought to be aware of the influence our friends have on us. "He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed" (Proverbs 13:20). We ought to seek out friends who will help us improve our character. "Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend" (Proverbs 27:17). We ought to avoid those people who will have a negative influence on our character. "Make no friendship with an angry man; and with a furious man thou shalt not go: Lest thou learn his ways, and get a snare to thy soul" (Proverbs 22:24-25).

Second, consider what the Bible says about producing friendships. Friendships must be reciprocal in nature. "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother" (Proverbs 18:24). In order to become friends with another person, we must develop a forgiving attitude. "He that covereth a transgression seeketh love; but he that repeateth a matter separateth very friends" (Proverbs 17:9). We must be willing to help others in time of need. "A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17).

Third, consider what the Bible says concerning preserving friendships. We sometimes do or say things that are harmful to our friendships. We hurt our friendships when we gossip about our friends. "A froward man soweth strife: and a whisperer separateth chief friends" (Proverbs 16:28). We hurt our friendships when we betray the trust a friend has placed in us. "Confidence in an unfaithful man in time of trouble is like a broken tooth, and a foot out of joint" (Proverbs 25:19). We hurt our friendships when we tell jokes at others’ expense. "As a mad man who casteth firebrands, arrows, and death, So is the man that deceiveth his neighbor, and saith, Am not I in sport? (Proverbs 26:18-19). We risk hurting our friendships whenever we become involved in a friend’s "personal" matters, such as their financial affairs. "My son, if thou be surety for thy friend, if thou hast stricken thy hand with a stranger, Thou art snared with the words of thy mouth, thou art taken with the words of thy mouth" (Proverbs 6:1-2).