How can I be a good friend?
Here's the answer:
You can be a good friend by obeying God's commands about how to treat others.
The Bible teaches us many things about how to be a good friend. Here are just a few of the things we can learn by reading God's Word:
"A friend loves at all times. They are there to help when trouble comes" (Proverbs 17:17). Friends stick around even when things get hard. If your friend is going through problems, see if there's a way you can help. Pray and encourage him or her.
"Do to others as you want them to do to you" (Luke 6:31). To be a good friend, ask yourself how you would want your friend to treat you, and then treat him or her the same way. For example, would you want your friend to talk badly about you behind your back? Probably not! Then don't talk badly about your friend to others.
"Love one another deeply. Honor others more than yourselves" (Romans 12:10). When we love others, we want to do good things for them; we want to make them feel important and valued. If there are two slices of pizza left in the box, let your friend have the bigger slice. If there's just one slice left, split it in half and share it. You should always want the best for your friend!
"Be kind and tender to one another. Forgive one another, just as God forgave you because of what Christ has done" (Ephesians 4:32). Sometimes friends irritate us or even hurt our feelings. The easy thing to do is to get mad and ignore your friend, or do something mean in return. But God says that it's important to forgive, and to be kind. Do what you can to make things right with your friend, and love them even when they are hard to love.
It's not always easy, but when you follow God's friendship instructions, you will be the best kind of friend there is!
Bible Truth
"Most of all, love one another deeply" (1 Peter 4:8a).
"Here is my command. Love one another, just as I have loved you. No one has greater love than the one who gives their life for their friends" (John 15:12-13).
