At times, as we become more discerning, we find ourself making tough choices about friendships.
This Post in a Sentence: Friendships can be beneficial or harmful, thus we must decide which ones to nourish.
Friendships for Worse
Proverbs 18.24 is an observation about friendships. There’s no warning or guidance in the verse. We’re left to form our own conclusions about what to pursue, based on a simple contrast.
Unfortunately, some friends (Hebrew Rea) are unreliable. That is, the friendship is destructive or one-sided. Although a few translations word the first phrase in the positive, almost all – 21 out of 24 reviewed – word it in the negative. As expected, almost all the translations set the proverb as a contrast rather than a comparison.
The word (Hebrew Raa) that’s negative in the first phrase of Proverbs 18.24 appears elsewhere in Proverbs in regard to lying, evil intentions, and wicked actions (Proverbs 17.4, 24.8, and 24.19). Additionally, there are another 30 references for that word in scripture, all negative.
Some friends are shallow and unreliable, but others cleave like a brother. Proverbs 18.24 paraphrase. proverbsforprofessionals.net
Friendships for Better
In contrast, the second phrase in the proverb notes that some friends (Hebrew Ahab) are faithful, hence dependable. Those friends stick close (Hebrew Dabeq “cleave” Genesis 2.24), like a sibling. Their sharing with us is deep – it touches both our heart and our soul.
Truly, our friendships can be for better or for worse. We decide! Given the lack of direct guidance in this proverb, we must rely on traits like discretion and discernment when deciding which friendships to nourish. However, we form, and can change, opinions about the character of friends based on their behavior.
One unstated conclusion here is that we should walk away from friendships that are a bad influence on us. At the same time we should pursue – we should cling to – friends who are as close to us as family.
Apply This Today!
As we grow emotionally and spiritually, we will change our behavior based on our character development. During this growth process we must also recognize, and act on, the quality and impact of our friendships.
So, how does walking away, or distancing ourself, work in practice? Sometimes it is as easy as being unavailable for socializing. At other times we may need to have a hard conversation by sharing our concerns.
A Question to Consider
For you, what’s the most valuable trait you consider when deepening a friendship? Conversely, what’s the most telling red-flag trait about a relationship?
I’m Dale Young. My posts share the balanced life to build wise character and guide wise behavior.
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