Before my divorce, if you had asked me about the number of friends I had, I would have given you a number somewhere between 30-50.  That's because my husband and I regularly invited "friends" over for cocktails and dinner, or threw big parties attended by lots and lots of people...

However, as I was going through my divorce, and was floundering because things were really difficult and I didn't yet have a relationship with God, I realized a lot of those people I had thought were friends had just been being friendly. These so-called "friends" were not interested in being there when I needed them most, and in fact they were only interested in me when I could feed them, keep their cups full, or entertain.

In yesterday's YOUVERSION Bible App, the verse of the day was Proverbs 27:17 - "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another."

The verse implies that it is impossible for the one piece of iron to become sharper without the presence of another, and if left isolated, both blades would be dull and useless.  It says that God expects us to live and serve with other believers, and to hold eachother accountable for our actions.  

We get better spiritually by being around other Christians who will challenge, sharpen and hone our knowledge and understanding of God, His word, and His promises.

These days, I have a lot of "acquaintences", but a lot fewer close friends.  The friends I seek are the ones who recognize and support my desire to put God at the center of my life, and who hold me accountable when I am veering off course.  



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