What Does the Bible Say About Worldly Friends?

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 20 helpful votes

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

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 17 helpful votes

Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?

1 John 2:15 ESV / 14 helpful votes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world—the desires of the flesh and the desires of the eyes and pride of life—is not from the Father but is from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.

James 4:4 ESV / 12 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.

Romans 12:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.

Luke 16:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

And I tell you, make friends for yourselves by means of unrighteous wealth, so that when it fails they may receive you into the eternal dwellings.

Matthew 5:11 ESV / 7 helpful votes

“Blessed are you when others revile you and persecute you and utter all kinds of evil against you falsely on my account.

Acts 8:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes

And Saul approved of his execution. And there arose on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles. Devout men buried Stephen and made great lamentation over him. But Saul was ravaging the church, and entering house after house, he dragged off men and women and committed them to prison. Now those who were scattered went about preaching the word. Philip went down to the city of Samaria and proclaimed to them the Christ. ...

Proverbs 14:7-9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge. The wisdom of the prudent is to discern his way, but the folly of fools is deceiving. Fools mock at the guilt offering, but the upright enjoy acceptance.

John 3:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.

Matthew 7:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

“Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Proverbs 24:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established;

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

James 5:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.

James 3:13-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Who is wise and understanding among you? By his good conduct let him show his works in the meekness of wisdom. But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast and be false to the truth. This is not the wisdom that comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there will be disorder and every vile practice. But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.

James 2:23 ESV / 3 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.

Luke 16:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

The master commended the dishonest manager for his shrewdness. For the sons of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own generation than the sons of light.

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.

James 1:5-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

2 Corinthians 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

To one a fragrance from death to death, to the other a fragrance from life to life. Who is sufficient for these things?

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The brothers immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, and when they arrived they went into the Jewish synagogue. Now these Jews were more noble than those in Thessalonica; they received the word with all eagerness, examining the Scriptures daily to see if these things were so.

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy. I came that they may have life and have it abundantly.

John 4:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

God is spirit, and those who worship him must worship in spirit and truth.”

Luke 16:10-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“One who is faithful in a very little is also faithful in much, and one who is dishonest in a very little is also dishonest in much. If then you have not been faithful in the unrighteous wealth, who will entrust to you the true riches? And if you have not been faithful in that which is another's, who will give you that which is your own? No servant can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.”

Luke 16:1-8 ESV / 2 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 6:19-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. “The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! ...

Ecclesiastes 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Because sometimes a person who has toiled with wisdom and knowledge and skill must leave everything to be enjoyed by someone who did not toil for it. This also is vanity and a great evil.

Proverbs 12:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

A man is commended according to his good sense, but one of twisted mind is despised.

Psalm 137:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

O daughter of Babylon, doomed to be destroyed, blessed shall he be who repays you with what you have done to us! Blessed shall he be who takes your little ones and dashes them against the rock!

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 1 helpful vote

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 3:19 ESV / 1 helpful vote

For the wisdom of this world is folly with God. For it is written, “He catches the wise in their craftiness,”

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote

“For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?” But we have the mind of Christ.

34 Bible Verses about Worldly Friends

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 20 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 17 helpful votes

1 John 2:15 ESV / 14 helpful votes

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

James 4:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Romans 12:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Luke 16:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Matthew 5:11 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Acts 8:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Proverbs 14:7-9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

John 3:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Matthew 7:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Proverbs 24:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 5:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 3:13-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 2:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Luke 16:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 1:5-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 4:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Luke 16:10-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Luke 16:1-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 6:19-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ecclesiastes 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 12:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 137:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 1 helpful vote

1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV / 1 helpful vote

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

34 Bible Verses about Worldly Friends

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 20 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 17 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:15 ESV / 14 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 13 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 4:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Romans 12:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 5:11 ESV / 7 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 8:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 14:7-9 ESV / 5 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 3:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 7:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 24:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 5:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 3:13-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

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

Luke 16:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

James 1:5-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

2 Corinthians 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

John 4:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:10-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Luke 16:1-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Matthew 6:19-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Ecclesiastes 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Proverbs 12:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

Psalm 137:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote Helpful Not Helpful

Suggest a Verse

Enter a Verse Reference (e.g., John 3:16-17)

1 Corinthians 15:33 ESV / 20 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 6:14 ESV / 17 helpful votes

1 John 2:15 ESV / 14 helpful votes

1 John 2:15-17 ESV / 13 helpful votes

James 4:4 ESV / 12 helpful votes

Romans 12:2 ESV / 11 helpful votes

Luke 16:9 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Matthew 5:11 ESV / 7 helpful votes

Acts 8:1-40 ESV / 5 helpful votes

Proverbs 14:7-9 ESV / 5 helpful votes

John 3:13 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Matthew 7:21 ESV / 4 helpful votes

Proverbs 24:3 ESV / 4 helpful votes

1 Peter 5:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 5:16 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 3:13-17 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 2:23 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Luke 16:8 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 28:19 ESV / 3 helpful votes

Matthew 6:33 ESV / 3 helpful votes

James 1:5-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

2 Corinthians 2:16 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Acts 17:10-11 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 10:10 ESV / 2 helpful votes

John 4:24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Luke 16:10-13 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Luke 16:1-8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Matthew 6:19-24 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Ecclesiastes 2:21 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Proverbs 12:8 ESV / 2 helpful votes

Psalm 137:8-9 ESV / 2 helpful votes

1 Corinthians 10:13 ESV / 1 helpful vote

1 Corinthians 3:19 ESV / 1 helpful vote

1 Corinthians 2:16 ESV / 1 helpful vote