Choosing the Right Friends: A Faith-Based Guide for Teens

Choosing the Right Friends

Friendships are one of the most important parts of your teenage years. The people you surround yourself with can influence your choices, your attitude, and even your faith. God cares deeply about the company you keep. Proverbs 13:20 tells us, “One who walks with wise people will be wise, But a companion of fools will suffer harm.” The Bible reminds us that friends can either help us grow closer to God—or lead us away from Him. Choosing the right friends is one of the most important decisions a teen can make.

The Power of Influence

Whether you realize it or not, the people you spend time with shape who you become. 1 Corinthians 15:33 warns, “Do not be deceived: 'Bad company corrupts good morals.’” When you hang out with people who make poor choices, it becomes easier to justify those same behaviors. But when your closest friends encourage you to live with honesty, kindness, and faith, their influence makes you stronger.

Ask yourself: Do my friends help me become more like Jesus? Do they respect my boundaries, my faith, and my values? Real friends won’t pressure you into sin. They’ll stand beside you, even when you make choices that are different from the crowd.

What Makes a Godly Friend?

Godly friendships are built on trust, encouragement, and love. Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 says, “Two are better than one because they have a good return for their labor; for if either of them falls, the one will lift up his companion. But woe to the one who falls when there is not another to lift him up!” Good friends lift you up when you stumble. They pray for you, listen when you’re hurting, and celebrate your victories.

A true friend doesn’t gossip behind your back or use you to feel better about themselves. Instead, they remind you of your worth in Christ. They’re honest, even when the truth is hard to hear, because they care more about your heart than your popularity.

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How to Choose the Right Friends

Choosing the right friends doesn’t mean cutting everyone out of your life who isn’t a believer—but it does mean being wise about who you let influence you the most. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, So one person sharpens another.” Surround yourself with people who sharpen your faith, not dull it.

Here are a few ways to find godly friends:

Get involved in church youth groups or Bible studies. You’ll meet other teens who share your faith and want to grow in God’s Word.
Pray for discernment. Ask God to help you recognize people who will support your walk with Him.
Be the kind of friend you want to have. Show love, loyalty, and humility. The best friendships often begin when you lead by example.

Looking for a gift for a friend? This friendship blanket is available here.

Standing Strong in Your Faith

Sometimes choosing the right friends means standing alone for a season. That can be hard, but remember that God never leaves you. Psalm 1:1-3 describes the person who avoids ungodly influences as “like a tree planted by streams of water.” When your roots are grounded in God’s truth, you’ll flourish—no matter who’s around you.

Blessed is the person who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked,
Nor stand in the path of sinners,
Nor sit in the seat of scoffers!
2 But his delight is in the Law of the Lord,
And on His Law he meditates day and night.
3 He will be like a tree planted by streams of water,
Which yields its fruit in its season,
And its leaf does not wither;

And in whatever he does, he prospers. Psalm 1:1-3

Don’t be afraid to make choices that honor God, even if others don’t understand. When you stand firm in your faith, you’ll attract the right kind of friends—people who value you for who you are in Christ.

Want to grow deeper in this topic?

Check out the 7-Day Devotional for Teens: “Choosing the Right Friends”—a guided study filled with Scriptures, reflection questions, and daily challenges to help you build friendships that honor God and strengthen your faith.

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Choosing the Right Friends: A Faith-Based Guide for Teens

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Friday, October 24, 2025