Not sure when and where the term “Friends Don’t Let Friends…” started, but I’m pretty sure it was tagged originally with “Drive Drunk”. BTW, wouldn’t it be great if there was a way to answer that question, a device with limitless sources of information on which to research a topic? Some day… But I digress. Not letting a friend drive drunk is very sound advice. I am surprised that it was fourth from the top of the search results, found on a device with limitless sources of information on which to research a topic. Wait a minute… You may beg to differ, but I personally think not letting a friend drive drunk is significantly more important than either voting republican or “get friends haircuts”, whatever the heck that means. And skip leg day? Child, please! I’ve made it 54 years and have never NOT skipped leg day. And ironically, I took this screenshot while sitting in a Starbucks, so apparently my friends don’t care too much about me, at least according to search result number 5. Didn’t click the link “friends don’t let friends go to walmart like this” because I’ve been to Walmart. ‘Nuff said. As to not letting friends do stupid stuff alone, it is certainly less embarrassing to do them solo, but we all like a good laugh at a friend’s expense, not to mention the possibility of the ensuing YouTube video going viral. I used to attend a church with a pastor that was so completely arrhythmic that he would throw me off beat if I watched him clap. In that case, friends don’t let Reverend So-and-So clap, period. All that said, I did agree that not letting a friend fight cancer alone was a potent and beneficial admonition. It certainly harkens to the underlying theme of this website, the need for community, especially in times of struggle. With important life principles, the Bible gives us essential “friends don’t let friends” relational instruction. Listed below are what I consider to be vital aspects of intentional friendship, but it is in no way an exhaustive list.
Friends don’t let friends continue in sin. James 5:19-20
Friends don’t let friends isolate themselves. Hebrews 10:24-25
Friends don’t let friends forsake their wife. Malachi 2:13-16
Friends don’t let friends neglect their family. 1 Timothy 5:8
Friends don’t let friends remain in spiritual bondage Matthew 8:16
Friends don’t let friends suffer physically Matthew 9:1-8
If you’ve ever seen the consequences in the lives and relationships of those that have done the things that the Bible compels us to avoid, you would agree that we owe it to our friends to keep them from making the same mistakes. Being a friend or brother that gives himself for others requires focused intentionality, that which is ours through the ministry of the Holy Spirit.
(Click “Stand on Firmer Ground” for deeper look into Friends Don’t Let Friends…)