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One Measure of Effective Friendship

How effective are the friendships in your life?

One measure of an effective friendship, in my opinion, is that the people in your life are becoming more like Jesus, partly because of their friendship with you.

“Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens another.” Proverbs 27:17 Do you have friendships that sharpen your relationship with Christ?

Paul wrote to the Corinthians, “Follow me, as I follow the example of Christ“. Could you say that to your friends? Could they say that to you?

Here’s one measure of an effective friendship: At the end of a year together as friends, could either of you say your life is more like Christ than before the year began, because of that friendship?

I know. Hard question, right? The encouragement in this post is to:

  • Consider your friendships closely
  • Examine the purpose of those friendships
  • Bring some intentionality into your friendships
  • Together, encourage each other to be more like Christ

Let’s make better friendships.

  • You could do a Bible study together
  • You could change the focus of your conversations
  • You could hold each other accountable
  • You could pray for and with one another

Do you have friendships in your life that help you in your walk with Christ?

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Ron Edmondson

Author Ron Edmondson

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Join the discussion 10 Comments

  • Getting such friends in our life who will help us in our walk with Christ is a blessing indeed. Presently, I do not have a friend of this stature. But, I should be having a friend of this caliber so that I will be able to grow closer to Him.

  • Leighton says:

    I've found it's hard to break the intertia in my friendships. So even though I aspire to do what you're describing, it can be awkward or challenging to change course. This is great advice, Ron.

  • Laurinda says:

    great post. Very timely. Friendships need to be intentional and effective. I've been thinking on this topic all day!

  • Casey Graham says:

    I 100% have friends like this. Just hope I am one too.

  • Melissa says:

    This is one of the most difficult things, making that friendship more God-friendly. In the past, I have often let the friendship, and not wanting to offend, the higher priority…but I have made a change with one friendship in particular. It led to dismal results. I often pray about it being a correct choice….the lifelong friendship dissolved into an acquaintance only…but I guess a choice had to be made.

    Thank you for the post. I question this decision daily, but know God is backing me on this one as always!

    • ronedmondson says:

      It's always hard in the area of friendships and there are no easy answers, but looking for the purpose of friendships and their value in our overall life goals, helps.