Qualities of a True Friend

Dexter Whinfield

1. Loving (Proverbs 17:17)

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.”
This Bible passage implies that love is a trait of a good friend, and a good friend will love you at
all times and in any situation — good or bad. Good friends don’t look for opportunities to excuse
themselves from expressing their love to you, but rather look for opportunities to further
express their love to you.

2. Respect (Philippians. 2:3)

“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above
yourselves.”
Good friends respect you. True friends do not disregard your feelings and do not treat them as
though they don’t matter.

3. Positive Influence (1 Corinthians 15:33)

Do not be misled: “Bad company corrupts good character.
Good friends leave a positive influence.
Good friends are those who influence you positively: they lead by example: they are conscious
of the fact you allowed them into your space: and they try their best to influence you in the way
of righteousness.
4. Forgiving (Colossians. 3:13)
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone.
Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
Good friends always forgive.
Friends who don’t forgive aren’t fun to be around. They are cold and they always find something
negative to say. They are quick to judge and never miss an opportunity to point out our errors
and criticize us for them.

5. Reliable (Proverbs. 18:24)

“There are ‘friends’ who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother.”
True friends are supportive and reliable.
Good friends stick around long enough to know when we are sad, broken, and frustrated.

6. Willing to make sacrifices (John 15:13)

“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.”
Good friends make sacrifices for you.
Friendships without sacrifices are friendships without commitments. It won't last long.
7. Loyal (Proverbs. 16:28)
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”
Honorable friends don’t gossip.
This verse shows that gossip hurts and brings separation even in the best of friendships.

8. Inspirational (Proverbs 27:17)

“As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.”
Commendable friends inspire strong values in you.
True friendships bring out the best in you, bad friendships corrupt good morals.

9. Exercise selfcontrol (Proverbs 22:24–25)

“ 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.”
Good friends exercise self-control.
But if you believe there’s hope for your short-tempered friends- encourage and pray them.

10. Vigilant (Proverbs 12:26)

“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.”
Good friends are watchful.
Friendship is God’s gift to us, but not all friendships He approves.

11. Supportive (Galatians. 6:2)

“Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.”
Faithful friends put up with our shortcomings and support us.
Sometimes, friends must go through uncertain times together to better understand each other.
Relationships with obstacles at the beginning usually turn out to be lifelong friendships.

12. Nonjudgmental (James. 4:11)

“Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or
sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law, you are not
keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it.”

Good friends aren’t judgmental.

Good friends don’t judge you. Instead, they support you, and when necessary, they correct you
in a spirit of love and humility.

13. Trustworthy (Psalm. 37:3)

“Trust in the Lord and do good; dwell in the land and enjoy safe pasture.”
Good friendships are built on trust.

14. Cooperative (Ecclesiastes 4:9–10)

 “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their work; If one falls down, his
friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up.”
Faithful friends are cooperative.
To lend support is one thing, but to cooperate is another. It’s common in most friendships for
friends to lend moral support, but it’s a rear sight to see a friend get down and dirty to help a
friend out of a tight spot.

15. Exercise wisdom (Proverbs 13:20)

“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.”
Good friends exercise wisdom.