Be Careful Who You Call Friend!

As I was reading the passage of scripture in Mark 3:20-21, it occurred to me how careful we must be of those we call friend. Now, a friend should be one that you can count on to be there for you to share in your joys, as well as be a comfort to you during your difficult times. They will tell you the truth and always have your best interest at heart! Webster defines friend as: “a person whom one knows well and is fond of; intimate associate; close acquaintance; a person on the same side in a struggle; not an enemy or foe; ally.” That sounds like someone you would want to befriend.  

Proverbs 17:17 says: “A friend loveth at all times…” Of course Jesus is the ultimate friend that sticketh closer than any brother. (Proverbs 18:24) But, as we look at Mark 3:20-21 it says: “And the multitude cometh together again, so that they could not so much as eat bread. And when His friends heard of it, they went out to lay hold on him: for they said, He is beside Himself.” Why didn’t these friends show compassion on Jesus’ untiring labor for the multitudes and help Him instead of complaining and judging Him? Jesus was so preoccupied with ministering to the multitudes, neither He nor the disciples even had time to eat. Why didn’t these friends bring lunch for them? Isn’t that what friends are for?

If you can’t help me please don’t hinder me! Jesus questions Judas’ motives as a friend. In Matthew 26:49-50, after Judas betrays Him with a kiss, Jesus asks: “Friend, wherefore art thou come?”  David wrote in Psalms 55:12-14 : “For it was not an enemy that reproached me; then I could have borne it: neither was it he that hated me that did magnify himself against me; then I would have hid myself from him: But it was thou, a man mine equal, my guide, and mine acquaintance. We took sweet council together, and walked unto the house of God in company.” A friend can hurt you much more than an enemy because you guard your heart against an enemy but open it to your friend. So, be careful who you call friend!

Here are a few quotes from the “Root Report” on false friends!

1. Don’t fear the enemy that attacks you, but the fake friend that hugs you.
2. If you’re talking about me behind my back that just means obviously my life is more interesting than yours.
3. My name must taste good because it’s always in your mouth.
4. Fake people don’t surprise me anymore, real people do.
5. Only a true friend will tell you to your face what others are saying behind your back.
6. I don’t have time for fake friends anymore, either be real or be gone.
7. Before you count your friends, make sure you can count on them. Some friends are only around when they want something from you, but never there when you need something from them.
8. Even problems do you a favor, they let you know the real friends from the fake ones.
9. I hate two faced people, it makes it harder for me to decide which side to slap first.
10. I asked God to protect me from my enemies and I started losing friends.
11. Watch who you call friend because friends are the ones who will leak your business to everyone when you all are no longer friends.
12. Keep talking about me behind my back and watch God keep blessing me in front of your face.
13. Most people want to see you do better as long as you don’t do better than them.
14. Fake people are like fools gold, they can be found everywhere, but are worth nothing.
15. Real people are like gold, they’re rare and worth a fortune if you find one.

So, Be Careful Who You Call Friend!