Spiritual Friends

The case for making and keeping spiritual friends

We need to recognize that some of us struggle to make friends and some of us struggle to keep friends.

Here is the "why" we need to make Spiritual Friends:

Why #1: Because there are dark days in ministry, and spiritual friends help you see Jesus when you need him most.

Why #2: The past almost five years of COVID has normalized isolation and loneliness. This is a problem because isolation and loneliness are dangerous. Why dangerous? "A man that isolates himself seeks his own desire, he rages against all wise judgment." Proverbs 18:1

Why #3: Spiritual friends protect you from what you can't see

"Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour. Image of my friends protecting me from the lion." 1 Peter 5:8

Here is the "how" to make and keep Spiritual Friends.

1. Be the first person to show up on moving day. Regularly Serve them without the expectation of a return.

   
   

2. See the best in them when you're upset with them.

• People lose friendships because they incorrectly assign the wrong motive.

• So often, I see people assigning motives to their friends when they're upset with them. My question is, "How do you know you've assigned the real motive?"

• Friendship Principal: If you are unwilling to talk then you won't assign a motive. If you're not willing to talk through a conflict with your friend, you must assume the best in them (do not guess their motive. It will break the relationship apart)

3. Freely Trust your spiritual friends with your vulnerabilities

• If you're unwilling to trust, you will sit alone.

• When you're vulnerable with others you give them the gift of going second. Vulnerability forges a bond between two people.

• I'm not suggesting blindly trusting everyone, but you must trust someone :)

  
  

4. Stand in their yard through the night to protect them

Big idea: You have to first be a good friend in order to get and keep friends