What does the Bible say about abandoning friends?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible teaches that abandoning faithful friends is a painful breach of love and loyalty, while godly friendship reflects steadfast covenant care, wisdom, and sacrificial love. Proverbs 17:17 and Proverbs 18:24 commend friends who remain near in adversity, and Proverbs 27:10 warns against forsaking trusted companions. Scripture honestly acknowledges betrayal by close friends in Psalms 41:9 and Psalms 55:12-14, ultimately pointing us to Christ, who was deserted by His disciples yet gave Himself for them. At the same time, believers must not cling to harmful influences, for 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns that bad company corrupts good character. Christians should pursue peace, forgive where possible, and entrust wounded relationships to the faithful Lord.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 18:24
A man of many companions may be ruined, But there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.
- Proverbs 27:10
Don't forsake your friend and your father's friend. Don't go to your brother's house in the day of your disaster: Better is a neighbor who is near than a distant brother.
- Proverbs 17:17
A friend loves at all times; And a brother is born for adversity.
- Psalms 41:9
Yes, my own familiar friend, in whom I trusted, Who ate bread with me, Has lifted up his heel against me.
- Psalms 55:12-14
[12] For it was not an enemy who insulted me, Then I could have endured it. Neither was it he who hated me who raised himself up against me, Then I would have hid myself from him. [13] But it was you, a man like me, My companion, and my familiar friend. [14] We took sweet fellowship together. We walked in God's house with company.
- Proverbs 19:4
Wealth adds many friends, But the poor is separated from his friend.
- Matthew 26:31-35
[31] Then Jesus said to them, "All of you will be made to stumble because of me tonight, for it is written, 'I will strike the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock will be scattered.' [32] But after I am raised up, I will go before you into Galilee." [33] But Peter answered him, "Even if all will be made to stumble because of you, I will never be made to stumble." [34] Jesus said to him, "Most assuredly I tell you that tonight, before the rooster crows, you will deny me three times." [35] Peter said to him, "Even if I must die with you, I will not deny you." All of the disciples also said likewise.
- Proverbs 14:20
The poor person is shunned even by his own neighbor, But the rich person has many friends.
- John 15:13
Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.
- 1 Corinthians 15:33
Don't be deceived! "Evil companionships corrupt good morals."
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