A TRUE FRIEND. By Reveriano Bukuru

A TRUE FRIEND

Reveriano Bukuru

A true friend gives you his most authentic self.

When he is real with you, you receive something precious: his life, his experiences, his time, his resources, even his money.

A good friend can be trusted with your heart. You do not need to fear that he will misuse your confidence, for the Bible says:

“One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” (Proverbs 18:24)

A true friend will use his knowledge of you wisely. He will not drag you into gossip, for the Scripture declares:

“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” (Proverbs 16:28)

Instead, he will use what he knows of you for your good, never for your harm. He will engage with you to bring peace, not conflict, and to strengthen, not weaken.

A true friend will not flatter you with empty words but will tell you what you need to hear, even when it is hard. As the Bible says:

“Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” (Proverbs 27:9)

Truth can be heavy, stressful, and sometimes frightening to speak. Yet a true friend will step into difficulty for your sake, choosing the harder path because he seeks your progress and growth.

A real friend does not stand by while you harm yourself. He will intervene, doing what he can to stop you from making destructive choices.

In short, your life matters to him. He makes your well-being part of his own journey, because Scripture urges us:

“Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins. Show hospitality to one another without grumbling. As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God’s varied grace.” (1 Peter 4:8–10)

May true friends be blessed in the name of Jesus Christ, the King of Kings. Amen.

Based on What Is the Real Definition of a True Friend? by Joanna Smykowski

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