‘Healthy Relationships – Friendships That Honor God’ – 5.24.2026

May 24, 2026
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A friend is always loyal, and a brother is born to help in time of need. Proverbs 17:17 NLT

 

There are “friends” who destroy each other, but a real friend sticks closer than a brother. Proverbs 18:24 NLT

 

“The most defining thing about the way you live the next 10 years of your life will be the people you spend the most time with. Nothing shapes your life more than the people in it.”  Jenni Allen

 

We live in a world full of connections and acquaintances but starving for genuine relationships. Social media gives us followers, but not always faithful friends. God’s Word shows us what healthy, God-honoring relationships look like.

 

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS ARE BUILT ON TRUTH AND LOYALTY, NOT CONVENIENCE

 

Jonathon and David 

After David had finished talking with Saul, he met Jonathan, the king’s son. There was an immediate bond between them, for Jonathan loved David. 2 From that day on Saul kept David with him and wouldn’t let him return home. 3 And Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, because he loved him as he loved himself. 4 Jonathan sealed the pact by taking off his robe and giving it to David, together with his tunic, sword, bow, and belt. 1 Samuel 18:1-4 NLT

 

Jonathan’s own father, Saul, wanted David dead, yet Jonathan remained loyal to David because he honored God above personal advantage.

 

A healthy relationship:

  • Celebrates others instead of competing with them.
  • Protects instead of tearing down.
  • Stays faithful during difficult seasons.

 

We need friends who:

  • Pray for us.
  • Sharpen us spiritually.
  • Tell us the truth.
  • Have our back.

 

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS SPEAK TRUTH WITH LOVE

12 Then Jonathan told David, “I promise by the Lord, the God of Israel, that by this time tomorrow, or the next day at the latest, I will talk to my father and let you know at once how he feels about you. If he speaks favorably about you, I will let you know. 13 But if he is angry and wants you killed, may the Lord strike me and even kill me if I don’t warn you so you can escape and live. May the Lord be with you as he used to be with my father. 14 And may you treat me with the faithful love of the Lord as long as I live. But if I die, 15 treat my family with this faithful love, even when the Lord destroys all your enemies from the face of the earth.” 16 So Jonathan made a solemn pact with David, saying, “May the Lord destroy all your enemies!” 17 And Jonathan made David reaffirm his vow of friendship again, for Jonathan loved David as he loved himself. 1 Samuel 20:12-17 NLT

  • Jonathan warned David about Saul’s intentions and helped protect him. He did not hide the truth to avoid discomfort.

 

A true friend loves you enough to:

  • Confront sin.
  • Encourage spiritual growth and healthy boundaries.
  • Point you back to God.

4 Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud 5 or rude. It does not demand its own way. It is not irritable, and it keeps no record of being wronged. 6 It does not rejoice about injustice but rejoices whenever the truth wins out. 7 Love never gives up, never loses faith, is always hopeful, and endures through every circumstance. 1 Corinthians 13:4-7 NLT

 

HEALTHY RELATIONSHIPS REFLECT THE GRACE OF JESUS

9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other.”  John 15:9-17 NLT

  • Jesus loved people without approving of sin.
  • He welcomed broken people while still calling them to transformation.
  • Healthy relationships are not perfect relationships, they are grace-filled relationships.
  • Do you love your friends enough to share Jesus with them?

 

Next Steps

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