Porcupine Friends And Our Walk with God 9~13~13

Are you a "Porcupine friend?"  I do not think that I am, but I recently heard a friend of mine refer to the fact that she has a tendency to pick "Porcupine friends."   And when I asked her about this, she said it was that they tend to poke you with the spines.  You know what I mean.  If you have had a really good and close friend, you tell each other many things, and sometimes what we hear we may not like.  At that point we may either be met with understanding and love or we may be poked.  Some people just don't take well to criticism at all.  Even if it is given in a truly loving and kind way. You know I am sure that anything can be turned around, anything, words can be taken out of context, and have an entirely different meaning...so I thought I would look to the Bible to see what it says about friends.

Proverbs 17:17
A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. 

There are so many great things about the Book of Proverbs, is it is full of wisdom...there are 31 chapters, and since this is a great number, as in the number of days in a month, it is perfect for reading one chapter a day for each day of the month.  On those months that are a little short, just read the extra chapters the last day or two.

Now I thought it would be good to read this in context.  So here are the surrounding verses:

Proverbs 17:16-18

King James Version (KJV)

16 Wherefore is there a price in the hand of a fool to get wisdom, seeing he hath no heart to it?

17 A friend loveth at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.

18 A man void of understanding striketh hands, and becometh surety in the presence of his friend.

And for comparison:

Proverbs 17:16-18

The Message (MSG)

16 What's this? Fools out shopping for wisdom! They wouldn't recognize it if they saw it!

One Who Knows Much Says Little

17 Friends love through all kinds of weather, and families stick together in all kinds of trouble.

18 It's stupid to try to get something for nothing, or run up huge bills you can never pay. 

The one thing that I am finding in the Message Bible is that it cuts out all the mincing of words and tells things as they are!     

                                              

Okay the primary verse that we are looking at is 17, are you a fair weather friend? Or are you the kind of friend that hears what your friend is saying to you even if you really don't want to hear it?  Have you ever heard the phrase, "The truth hurts?"  Well sometimes it does, but wouldn't you rather hear the truth from someone who truly loves you, like a dear friend, than from someone, who really doesn't care about you in the least?  Let's face it people can sometimes be really unpleasant!  

And sometimes we just aren't "Friend Material."  I have found over the years in making friends and acquaintances, that some people are better left being acquaintances, rather than looking at them as friend material.  If someone gets in touch with you only when they need something, this is not a true friend; and on the same note this is a behavior that you as a person need to avoid as well. Hurtful behavior is not acceptable, and this can be very hurtful.  I think as I am getting older I am finding that I am a bit more discerning when it comes to whom I wish to be friends with...there are truly just a few people that I am friends with, and that I do consider my friends.  Lots of acquaintances, but only a few friends...

Well it is about that time of day that I must start to get ready for my day...I will be doing some cleaning and then another eye appointment, trying to get contacts that are just right, isn't an easy task...and then I have the pleasure of spending a little bit of time with one grandson who is turning one year old today!  Amazing, where has the time gone?

And I will leave you with this to consider, do you truly know who you are in Christ?  Are you a friend to Christ?  Do you spend time with our Lord each and every day?  Or do you just look to others as if you do?  Just remember, God knows the truth!