True, godly friendship does not come quickly. This kind of edifying support comes only through time and effort. We must share experiences with someone to discern if they are a true friend. In today’s devotional, Dr. Michael Youssef reveals four hallmarks of godly friendship.
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[00:00:00] You are listening to My Devotional, the daily devotional from Dr. Michael Youssef and Leading
[00:00:06] the Way. Hallmarks of Genuine Friendship by Dr. Michael Youssef
[00:00:14] As you cultivate godly friendships, focus on the four hallmarks of a genuine friendship.
[00:00:20] First, friends are available to each other and do not abandon each other during difficult
[00:00:26] times. As we model ourselves after God's word, we can tell our friends, never will I leave
[00:00:33] you, never will I forsake you. The second hallmark of genuine friendship is communication. Friends
[00:00:40] not only talk to each other, but also share their innermost feelings and listen to each other.
[00:00:46] A godly relationship is a haven where we can be vulnerable and honest about our shortcomings
[00:00:52] and temptations. Our friends will keep our confidence and encourage us in our struggles.
[00:00:59] Encouragement is a third key to true friendship. Friends are generous with their forgiveness, praise,
[00:01:06] and appreciation of each other. They speak kind, uplifting words to each other. When we falter,
[00:01:13] a friend will help us and walk with us toward the right path. A true friend will lovingly correct
[00:01:20] us when we wonder from God. The final hallmark of genuine friendship is loyalty. True friends do not
[00:01:29] gossip, complain, or scheme against each other. They work together on the same team and walk together in
[00:01:36] faith and obedience to God. Our love for God pours out into our friendships as we love our friends
[00:01:42] sacrificially. My command is this, love each other as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than
[00:01:50] this to lay down one's life for one's friends. True, godly friendship does not come easily. This kind of
[00:01:59] edifying support comes only through time and effort. We must share experiences with someone to discern if
[00:02:06] they are a true friend. We often find false friends who desert us in our most desperate times or break our
[00:02:12] confidence. But through time and the Holy Spirit's discernment, we can weed out false friends from true ones and build
[00:02:19] friendships that will last through eternity. Let's pray together. God, please show us how we can be
[00:02:27] better friends to those you've placed in our lives. Show us the areas in which we can improve so that we
[00:02:34] can be true friends to others. We pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
[00:02:41] If today's devotional encouraged you, we'd love to hear about it. Leave a review and share this episode
[00:02:47] with a friend who needs to hear it. My devotional is a ministry of leading the way with Dr. Michael
[00:02:53] Youssef. To learn more, visit ltw.org today.