Page 14 - August 2026 - Truth & Tidings

ave you ever looked at an old A Bad Friend Will Gossip
photo of yourself with a group
Hfrom many years ago and tried The book of Proverbs is full of wis-
to identify who all the other people in dom on how to be a good friend, how
the fading polaroid are? You recognize to maintain and improve the authentic
someone and think, What ever happened friendships in our lives. It also provides
to him? Or you ask, I wonder where she warnings about ruining the friendships
ever ended up? Some friendships don’t we have. As we are warned often in the
last, and that’s ok. We lose contact, people Bible, from the Law to the sermons of
move, we change cities or even countries. Jesus Christ and the apostles’ teachings,
The common interests you had in your many problems begin with the tongue.
teenage years are most likely not the same When it comes to ruining a friendship, it
interests you have now. It can be good to is no different. How often have you heard
reminisce, and you may keep in contact that someone close to you, someone you
as “official” friends on social media, but thought was a loyal person, is talking
most, if not all, of those friendships are about you behind your back? Or with the
more superficial than substantial. roles reversed, how often have you found
While it is enjoyable to look back at yourself quick to criticize the actions of a
friendships of the past, it is essential to friend or share secrets entrusted to you
evaluate your friendships of today. Are by another? Proverbs warns us that “a
you fulfilling your duties as a friend, or are whisperer separates the best of friends”
you a bad friend? Are the friendships you (Pro 16:28 NKJV). A bad friend will not
value in your life harmful or beneficial? keep a secret. When we feel wronged by
What does it take to ruin a friendship? In our friend, the biblical route to reconcilia-
the grand scheme of things, not much, re- tion is to confront, confess and forgive the
ally. It might be worthwhile to look at the offense. When that takes place, we have
relationships in our lives and determine gained our brother, and we have gained
what makes for a bad friend. back our friend.

238 TRUTH kTidings August 2026