MAY 11

Proverbs 27:9, 17
Memorise Proverbs 27:17
“Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend”

We all have friends. We describe them as people whom we are close to, and people that we care for very dearly. We spend a lot of time with our friends, and enjoy doing things together. However, have you ever asked – what is the purpose of your friendships? As Christians with a renewed mind, we must also have a renewed perspective towards the friendships that we keep.

As Christians, one of our main purposes is to be a witness and testimony to the people around us – both believers and unbelievers. As Christians, we sharpen one another as we stir up one another to love and good works. As we converse and interact with one another, we learn how each shows their love for the Lord and others around them. We discover that one has been visiting the sick, one has been giving generously and another has been spending time in God’s Word. This is all very encouraging and uplifting. Hebrews 10:25 tells us not to forsake “the assembling of ourselves together, … but exhorting one another, and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching”. God shows us how we can encourage one another to use the gifts that He has given to us. When you stir up the embers of a fire, a fire is rekindled. When you exhort or encourage someone it fires them up, love emanates from them and they feel they can take on the world in Christ.

With our unbelieving friends, our purpose is likewise to share the gospel with them, and through your ‘hearty counsel’, you can bring sweetness to their lives to rejoice their heart. This rejoicing is not just the temporal ‘fun’ that we can have through social interactions, but is true spiritual joy that comes through knowing God and His Word. As a good friend, we would try our very best to lead them to Christ, and provoke them to know more about God and His wonderful offer of salvation.

Dear teen, how are you being a good friend to those around you? Are you just selfishly looking for a companion to share a laugh with or enjoy common interests with? Do you care for the state of their soul, and their eternal dwelling place?

Thought: As we provoke one another to love and good works, we make one another wiser and better.
Prayer: Father in heaven, help me to be a true friend who cares for their soul.