What Does the Bible Say About Bad-friends?

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 39 helpful votes

Do not be deceived: “Bad company ruins good morals.”

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 28 helpful votes

Whoever walks with the wise becomes wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 17 helpful votes

One who is righteous is a guide to his neighbor, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 16 helpful votes

A dishonest man spreads strife, and a whisperer separates close friends.

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 14 helpful votes

A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man, lest you learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 12 helpful votes

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

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 10 helpful votes

Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future.

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up!

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 9 helpful votes

Without counsel plans fail, but with many advisers they succeed.

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 8 helpful votes

Whoever keeps his mouth and his tongue keeps himself out of trouble.

1 John 4:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Anyone who does not love does not know God, because God is love.

John 15:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.

Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 6 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets; therefore do not associate with a simple babbler.

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 6 helpful votes

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul.

James 4:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded.

John 15:12-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes

“This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you. Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.

Proverbs 3:32 ESV / 5 helpful votes

For the devious person is an abomination to the Lord, but the upright are in his confidence.

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes

But Ruth said, “Do not urge me to leave you or to return from following you. For where you go I will go, and where you lodge I will lodge. Your people shall be my people, and your God my God. Where you die I will die, and there will I be buried. May the Lord do so to me and more also if anything but death parts me from you.”

1 John 4:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God, and whoever loves has been born of God and knows God.

1 John 1:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

James 2:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes

And the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God.

Romans 10:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Luke 16:1-31 ESV / 4 helpful votes

He also said to the disciples, “There was a rich man who had a manager, and charges were brought to him that this man was wasting his possessions. And he called him and said to him, ‘What is this that I hear about you? Turn in the account of your management, for you can no longer be manager.’ And the manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do, since my master is taking the management away from me? I am not strong enough to dig, and I am ashamed to beg. I have decided what to do, so that when I am removed from management, people may receive me into their houses.’ So, summoning his master's debtors one by one, he said to the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’ ...

Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Beware of practicing your righteousness before other people in order to be seen by them, for then you will have no reward from your Father who is in heaven. “Thus, when you give to the needy, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give to the needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your giving may be in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. ...

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy.

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes

A wise man is full of strength, and a man of knowledge enhances his might,

James 4:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes

You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.

2 Thessalonians 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes

They will suffer the punishment of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might,

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.

Proverbs 28:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The one who keeps the law is a son with understanding, but a companion of gluttons shames his father.

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Make no friendship with a man given to anger, nor go with a wrathful man,

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

Psalm 111:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The works of his hands are faithful and just; all his precepts are trustworthy;

Job 2:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Now when Job's three friends heard of all this evil that had come upon him, they came each from his own place, Eliphaz the Temanite, Bildad the Shuhite, and Zophar the Naamathite. They made an appointment together to come to show him sympathy and comfort him.

2 Kings 17:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But they would not listen, but were stubborn, as their fathers had been, who did not believe in the Lord their God.

1 Samuel 18:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul.

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear.

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need.

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No temptation has overtaken you that is not common to man. God is faithful, and he will not let you be tempted beyond your ability, but with the temptation he will also provide the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

1 Corinthians 6:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither the sexually immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor men who practice homosexuality,

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, now that we are reconciled, shall we be saved by his life.

Romans 3:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,

John 15:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

John 6:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes

All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never cast out.

John 3:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.

Luke 11:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And I tell you, ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.

Matthew 11:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

Matthew 5:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And if your right hand causes you to sin, cut it off and throw it away. For it is better that you lose one of your members than that your whole body go into hell.

Daniel 2:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And in the days of those kings the God of heaven will set up a kingdom that shall never be destroyed, nor shall the kingdom be left to another people. It shall break in pieces all these kingdoms and bring them to an end, and it shall stand forever,

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Two are better than one, because they have a good reward for their toil. For if they fall, one will lift up his fellow. But woe to him who is alone when he falls and has not another to lift him up! Again, if two lie together, they keep warm, but how can one keep warm alone? And though a man might prevail against one who is alone, two will withstand him—a threefold cord is not quickly broken.

Proverbs 20:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Many a man proclaims his own steadfast love, but a faithful man who can find?

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes

For it is not an enemy who taunts me— then I could bear it; it is not an adversary who deals insolently with me— then I could hide from him. But it is you, a man, my equal, my companion, my familiar friend. We used to take sweet counsel together; within God's house we walked in the throng.

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A Psalm of David. The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me lie down in green pastures. He leads me beside still waters. He restores my soul. He leads me in paths of righteousness for his name's sake. Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; you anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. ...

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes

And Elijah said to Elisha, “Please stay here, for the Lord has sent me as far as Bethel.” But Elisha said, “As the Lord lives, and as you yourself live, I will not leave you.” So they went down to Bethel.

1 Samuel 18:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes

As soon as he had finished speaking to Saul, the soul of Jonathan was knit to the soul of David, and Jonathan loved him as his own soul. And Saul took him that day and would not let him return to his father's house. Then Jonathan made a covenant with David, because he loved him as his own soul. And Jonathan stripped himself of the robe that was on him and gave it to David, and his armor, and even his sword and his bow and his belt.

64 Bible Verses about Bad-friends

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 39 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 13:20 ESV / 28 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:26 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 16:28 ESV / 16 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 18:24 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:24-25 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:17 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 19:20 ESV / 10 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 15:22 ESV / 9 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:6 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 21:23 ESV / 8 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:8 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:13 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:19 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 18:1-3 ESV / 6 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:8 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:12-15 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 17:9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 3:32 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ruth 1:16-17 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 4:7 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 1:9 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 2:23 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 10:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:1-31 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:1-34 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 27:5-6 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 24:5 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:4 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Timothy 6:10 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Thessalonians 1:9 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 28:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 22:24 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:13 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 111:7 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Job 2:11 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Kings 17:14 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 18:1 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:29 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ephesians 4:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 6:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 6:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 5:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 3:23 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 15:15 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 6:37 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:36 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 11:9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 11:28 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:30 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Daniel 2:44 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 4:9-12 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 20:6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 11:14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 55:12-14 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 23:1-6 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Kings 2:2 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Samuel 18:1-4 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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