Friendship is one of life’s greatest gifts, yet it carries profound spiritual weight. In this sermon, Pastor Léveillé delves into the book of Proverbs to uncover God’s timeless wisdom on the company we keep. Drawing from key passages, he highlights the value of true friendships, the tests that prove their worth, the dangers of false companions, and the ultimate example of friendship in Jesus Christ. Whether you are young or old, this message challenges you to evaluate your relationships and seek those that draw you closer to God.
The Treasure of Friendship (Proverbs 17:17; 18:24; 27:9-10)
Proverbs 17:17 declares, “A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity” (KJV). True friendship, as described in Proverbs, is not merely about shared hobbies or fleeting moments of fun. It is a bond of the heart, marked by loyalty and affection that endures through life’s highs and lows. Proverbs 18:24 adds, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” This “sticking” reflects a deep, covenantal commitment, akin to the cleaving of a husband to his wife (Genesis 2:24). Such friends are rare treasures, offering counsel that refreshes the soul, as Proverbs 27:9-10 illustrates: “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man’s friend by hearty counsel. Thine own friend, and thy father’s friend, forsake not.”
Unlike the world’s shallow relationships, often built on convenience or trends, godly friendships are rooted in faith. They are not disposable but enduring, like the bond between David and Jonathan, united by their shared love for God’s kingdom. These friendships uplift, steady, and even save us from disaster, becoming instruments of God’s grace in our lives.
The Test of Friendship (Proverbs 27:5-6, 17; 20:6)
True friendship is proven in moments of difficulty. Proverbs 27:5-6 states, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.” A genuine friend speaks truth, even when it hurts, because their correction comes from love. This “faithful” wounding, rooted in the Hebrew word emunim (meaning trustworthy), is like saying “amen” to a friend’s honest rebuke. It is reliable and healing, unlike the flattery of an enemy.
Proverbs 27:17 further illustrates this: “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.” Like iron sharpening iron, true friends challenge and refine one another, even through friction. Proverbs 20:6 warns, “Most men will proclaim every one his own goodness: but a faithful man who can find?” Talk is cheap, but faithfulness is costly. A true friend’s consistency and honesty, like Nathan’s confrontation with David, prove their worth far beyond empty compliments.
The Trouble of False Friendship (Proverbs 13:20; 22:24-25; 28:7; 29:24)
Not all friendships lead to wisdom. Proverbs 13:20 cautions, “He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.” The company we keep shapes who we become. Walking with fools, angry men, riotous companions, or those partnered with sin leads to ruin. Proverbs 22:24-25 warns, “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.” Similarly, Proverbs 28:7 and 29:24 highlight the shame and self-destruction that come from associating with reckless or sinful companions.
Friendships are never neutral. They either draw you toward wisdom or pull you toward folly. Parents, consider the influences surrounding your children. Are their friends making sin harder or easier? The story of Rehoboam, Solomon’s son, serves as a sobering reminder. His foolish friends led him to arrogance, costing him ten tribes of Israel in a single day. Choose friends who walk with Jesus, for they will lead you to the right place.
The Truest Friend of All (Proverbs 18:24)
While human friendships are precious, they pale in comparison to the ultimate friend, Jesus Christ. Proverbs 18:24 reminds us, “There is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.” Earthly friends, even the best, can only walk with you to the edge of death. But Jesus goes further. He took on flesh, bore our sins at Calvary, and promises, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee” (Hebrews 13:5, KJV). His loyalty shines brightest in our darkest moments, never wavering, even when we falter.
The story of a Christian woman in a Nazi concentration camp illustrates this. She took the place of a Jewish friend marked for death, stepping into the gas chamber to save her. This act mirrors Jesus, who took our place, bearing our guilt. He is the truest friend, the One who found us first.
Conclusion
Proverbs challenges us to treasure friends who refresh our souls, welcome those who speak truth in love, and guard against those who lead us astray. Above all, it points us to Jesus, the friend who never fails. What kind of friend are you? Do your friendships reflect Christ’s love? Make time to walk with Jesus daily, and let His friendship shape how you treat others. Be a friend who is loyal, sharpening, and rooted in faith, not just fun. May your relationships honour God and draw you closer to the One who sticks closer than a brother.
