Acquaintances vs. True Friends — Proverbs 18:24

General Faith
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Proverbs 18:24 draws a sharp but honest distinction: “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.” Scripture doesn’t condemn having many acquaintances, but it does caution us not to confuse quantity with depth.

Acquaintances are part of life, but biblical friendship is marked by loyalty, truth-telling, and presence, especially when it’s inconvenient. A true friend is not defined by constant agreement or social closeness, but by faithfulness over time. In that sense, the proverb invites us to evaluate not just who surrounds us, but who actually walks with us through difficulty, growth, and accountability.

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I have one true friend and many acquaintances. The friend is decades in the making and we are transparent with one another. I know her faults and she knows mine. We are each others sounding board in hard times and one I share with in good times.

It has always seemed strange to me that there are only these two words - friend and acquaintance. Maybe other languages have a better description of the relationships we can have. There are degrees of acquaintances from someone you run into while walking the dog, to someone you’ve socialized with once or twice. They’re more than an acquaintance, but they’re not yet a friend. So what should you call them?

Whatever that word might be, I have many who fall into that category. All are Christians. When in need, I trust them and know they’ll be there for me. We may not socialize much or even know each other well, but they can be counted on. Maybe that’s because we all believe in the Lord.

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Proverbs reminds us that true friendship isn’t about numbers but about character. In a world full of casual connections, it’s the faithful, truth-speaking friend who reflects Christ’s love, and that’s the kind of friend worth being and keeping.

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Why is it we read things like this?

“Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you,” 2 Corinthians 6:17

One more.

“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 in possessions, are not from the Father but from the world. And the world is passing away along with its desires, but whoever does the will of God abides forever.” 1 John 2:15-17

Why do we read things like this? Because we are keeping “bad company.” Especially when you first get saved. Before you get saved? Guess what? You are bad company. But not anymore. The problem is, they still are.

Let’s start with the basics. You and your childhood group of friends. Think about them. You all did the same things. The good, the bad, the ugly. Think about your close nit inner circle of friends you had before you got saved. You all did the same things. The good, the bad, the ugly. You know their secrets, and they know yours. You were all the same.

Herein lies the problem. You are no longer the same. The Word declares that once you are saved, you,

“have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him.” Colossians 3:10

But they are not new. They have not changed. They are the same. They still drink, do whatever, and mess around with this or that. Sleep around. Look at things you should no longer be looking at. Doing the things you USED to do, but now should no longer be doing. They are still doing and enjoying doing these things.

In a lot of cases, they want you to still be doing all these things with them. When you say no? They become offended, and they think you think you are better than them. The sad truth is, no matter how much you may desire to have them join you and accept Jesus and give up their sin, unless God Himself calls them, and they decide for themselves to accept the call, they will never even hear what you say. Why? Because you are speaking a new tongue. You are speaking spiritually. They are seeing, hearing, and living in the flesh. Look what Jesus told the religious folks of the day.

“Why do you not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to hear my word.” John 8:43

Paul writes this in his letter to Rome.

“For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot. Those who are in the flesh cannot please God.” Romans 8:7-8

I understand your compassion and your desire to free those you love from the laws of sin and death. God has blessed me with three beautiful children. Joshua is not going to be 21 years old this year. He accepted Jesus into his heart at age 7. Without conversation or prompting, he stood up and walked up to the altar, and asked to be, and was, baptized. Elijah is 15, and Maya is now 11, at this time. When the time comes, it will be their choice. No matter how much I love them, I could even lay down my life for them. It is STILL up to them.

Your friends are the same way. Your other family members are the same way. It is a personal decision to accept and believe or reject and not believe. However, look at this warning in the Bible.

“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company ruins good morals.” 1 Corinthians 15:33

You really cannot be a new child of God and still remain as you were before. You can not accept Jesus and sin on. Jesus’ back was torn apart by a cat of nine tails. For our sins, He was tortured and hung on a cross to die. For His love for us, He called you out of the bondage of sin and death.

You have been adopted into the Kingdom of God. You have become a new person, and Heaven is now your home. You have new ways and a new language that your friends and family no longer understand. Most of the time, if we are to be truthful, they do not like the new you.

Yes, having acquaintances is fine. Friends are fine. Just make sure not to get too close to those of a different mind.

Peter

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That’s very true. You could end up with a divided heart.