Godly Friendships in a Worldly World

Shadow
3 days ago
4 min read

I was listening to a podcast recently about godly friendships and what it truly means in a world of worldly people. It really struck me how deep friendships can be. This will be one of the last posts of 2025, so, enjoy!

Friendships

Friendships can be so hard to grow, maintain, and create. Personally, I don't have many friends I can turn to when I'm hurting or when I need prayer and guidance in my faith walk. Not long ago, I went to my cousin's house for the day and we just talked. Talked about our faith, discussed the small differences between our churches, and decided to pray for each other. It was then when I really realized that as Christians, we need those deep friendships. These are the kind of friendships that keep us going, even in the rough times of life. You must grow friendships that show you Jesus. If these friendships aren't pointing you to the cross, where are they pointing you?

Friendships in a Worldly World

Of course, we can't surround ourselves with Christians and godly friends 24-7, besides, that's not what God has called us to do. We are to be a light to those who don't know Jesus, but as Christians, we also need a light. These lights are the good, strong faith-filled friendships. It's important for us to have people, or lights, we can go to when we need help. We need those people we can depend on and lean of for support when we are hurt of lost. Sometimes our sight can be clouded over and other Christians or godly friends can lead us back to the truth. Just seeing that you aren't the only one running the race called life, can encourage you in your walk with Jesus. This world will try to lure us out. Traps will be set. Snares hidden for us to fall into. Godly friends can be the ones to pull you up and out.

How to Grow your Friendships

Friendships will always have their ups and downs, but these are the main steps of most friendships.

You meet someone who makes you laugh, smile, or you just really get along with them. When your friendships first starts, you only see the good things they do or say. Everything is great. You can see through their flaws.
After getting to know them more, you realize this person isn't perfect. They have their flaws and make mistakes as well. You'll probably find out you don't agree on everything and that you aren't always going to get along. This stage is where the arguments come in. You may get into a fight. If you can get past this step (your arguments, disagreements, and differences), you'll find the friendship of phase three.
Now you see your differences as blessings. You can now talk about deeper things, like faith, church, or prayer. Sharing personal things becomes easier because you've accepted the other's differences. Not that there won't be disagreements, but you know you can pray about it together. Your friendship is now strong and the only thing to do now is make it even stronger.

Keeping a Strong Friendship

To end, here are some tips on keeping a Christian friendship:

Center your friendship on Christ: "Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your heart to God." (Colossians 3:16 ESV)
Speak the truth in love: Be honest when your friend is struggling with sin, but do it with gentleness and humility ("Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ..." Ephesians 4:15 ESV). True friends don’t just affirm—they help each other grow.
Prioritize forgiveness and grace: Offenses will happen. Forgive completely, just as Christ forgave you ("... bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive." Colossians 3:13 ESV). Don’t let resentment build.
Pray for each other consistently: Not just “I’m praying for you” as a polite phrase, but actually pray—out loud together when possible, and privately on your own ("Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed." James 5:16).
Guard against gossip: Refuse to speak negative talk about your friend behind their back and don't talk bad things about others with your friend. If you have an issue, go directly to them (" If your brother sins against you, go and tell him his fault, between you and him alone." Matthew 18:15).
Serve together: Do ministry, volunteer, or simply help each other in practical ways. Shared mission deepens bonds more than if you were just hanging out ("For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not use your freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another." Galatians 5:13).
Celebrate and mourn together: Rejoice when they rejoice, weep when they weep ("Rejoice with those who rejoice, weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15). Show up for the highs and the lows—don’t run away during hard seasons.
Pursue humility, not competition: Avoid comparing or envy. Cheer their successes as if they were your own ("Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." Philippians 2:3–4).
Make time, even when life gets busy: Long-term friendship requires intentionality. Schedule regular check-ins, get togethers, or simple coffee dates.
Point each other to Jesus, not to yourself: The goal isn’t for them to need you—it’s for both of you to need Jesus more together. (“...with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love.” Ephesians 4:2 ESV)

Hope you enjoyed this post! Until next time, I'm Shadow.