Choose Your Friends Wisely: What the Bible Says About the Company You Keep

I'm writing this thinking of my grandchildren and the other young people I know but we all want good friends—people who have our back, build us up, and walk with us through life. But not every person who wants to be close to you is good for you. The Bible, especially the book of Proverbs, has a lot to say about choosing your friends wisely.

Let’s break it down:
What kind of people should you look for?
What kind of people should you avoid?
And what happens when you ignore God’s advice?

Traits to Look for in a Godly Friend

Here are the kinds of friends Proverbs and the Bible encourage you to choose:

1. Wise and Honest

"Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm." – Proverbs 13:20
Good friends make you smarter, stronger, and more godly. If they’re pursuing wisdom, you will too.

2. Kind and Loyal

"A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity." – Proverbs 17:17
You want friends who stick around when things get hard—not just when life is easy.

3. Truthful and Trustworthy

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted." – Proverbs 27:5-6
Real friends tell you the truth, even when it’s hard. They care more about your growth than your comfort.

4. Self-Controlled

"Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered." – Proverbs 22:24
A good friend knows how to control their emotions. They don’t blow up over small things or drag you into their drama.

Traits That Should Make You Walk Away

Not everyone is meant to be close to you. God’s Word warns us about certain people:

1. Foolish

"The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice." – Proverbs 12:15
A fool won’t listen to wisdom. They think they know it all and lead others down the wrong path.

2. Gossipers and Trouble-Makers

"A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends." – Proverbs 16:28
Avoid people who always bring drama, stir up conflict, or talk behind others’ backs. You’re next.

3. Lazy and Irresponsible

"The sluggard’s craving will be the death of him, because his hands refuse to work." – Proverbs 21:25
Someone who doesn’t care about their future, their work, or doing what’s right is not someone to model your life after.

4. Immoral and Disrespectful

"Do not envy the violent or choose any of their ways." – Proverbs 3:31
People who don’t respect authority, who play around with sin, or who lead others into rebellion—stay clear.

Real-Life Examples

Let’s look at two stories. One follows God's wisdom. One doesn't.

Story 1: Tyler Chooses Good Friends

Tyler is a high school sophomore. He starts hanging out with two guys from church youth group—Eli and Marcus. They’re not perfect, but they talk openly about their faith, they help others, and they’re not afraid to speak truth.

When Tyler starts slipping—skipping class or being disrespectful to teachers—they call him out in love. At first, he’s mad, but then he realizes they’re right. He adjusts course, ends the school year strong, and keeps building habits that will serve him later in life.

Fast forward: Tyler gets into college, serves as a youth leader, and still texts Eli and Marcus when he needs advice. Those friendships helped build his foundation.

Story 2: Jayden Chooses the Wrong Crowd

Jayden feels left out, so he starts hanging out with a crew that’s always up to something—cutting class, vaping in the bathroom, stealing stuff just to get attention.

At first it feels fun. But over time, Jayden’s grades drop. He gets caught shoplifting. His parents lose trust. One of his friends gets arrested. Another drops out of school. Jayden says, “I didn’t think it’d get this bad.”

That’s what happens when we ignore God’s wisdom.

"Bad company corrupts good character." – 1 Corinthians 15:33

Final Thoughts: Choose Now, Not Later

You don’t always get to pick who’s around you—but you do get to choose who gets your time, your trust, and your loyalty. Proverbs gives you a map. If you follow it, your life will reflect that wisdom.

Ask Yourself:

• Do my friends pull me closer to God—or push me away?

• Would I want to become like the people I spend the most time with?

Choose wisely. Your future depends on it.

Call to Action

If you're not sure about your current friends, take time this week to reflect and pray. Ask God for wisdom. Talk to someone older that you trust—maybe a youth leader, a parent, or a mentor. And remember: God will bring the right people into your life when you commit to walking in His ways.

Friends can keep you out of trouble or get you into trouble.  That is why you want to choose wisely.  The video below is by Christian Hosoi who let friends and acquaintances encourage him to try drugs.  God used a bad situation to bring good, but at a cost of 10 years of his life.