Friendships should bring joy, support, and encouragement, but toxic relationships can harm our emotional and spiritual health. Today, we’ll explore Bible verses that teach us how to discern healthy friendships, set boundaries, and trust God to bring the right people into our lives.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Treating Others Badly
Bible Verses About Toxic Friendships
Proverbs 13:20 – The company we keep influences our path
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” – Proverbs 13:20
1 Corinthians 15:33 – Bad influences can corrupt good character
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.'” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Proverbs 22:24-25 – Associating with angry individuals can lead us astray
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered person, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn their ways and get yourself ensnared.” – Proverbs 22:24-25
Proverbs 27:17 – True friendship shapes us positively
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
James 4:4 – Friendship with the world is enmity towards God
“You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmity against God? Therefore anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” – James 4:4
Proverbs 12:26 – The righteous guides their friend wisely
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26
2 Corinthians 6:14 – We must examine who we partner with
“Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?” – 2 Corinthians 6:14
Colossians 3:2 – Set your mind on things above for healthier associations
“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.” – Colossians 3:2
Proverbs 1:10 – The temptation of bad friends calls for discernment
“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” – Proverbs 1:10
Psalms 1:1 – Blessed are those who do not follow the wicked
“Blessed is the one who does not walk in step with the wicked or stand in the way that sinners take or sit in the company of mockers.” – Psalms 1:1
Proverbs 16:28 – Misleading friendships can cause divisions
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
Matthew 7:6 – Some relationships are not meant to be nourished
“Do not give dogs what is sacred; do not throw your pearls to pigs. If you do, they may trample them under their feet and turn and tear you to pieces.” – Matthew 7:6
Psalms 26:4-5 – We need to avoid those who are deceitful
“I do not sit with the deceitful, nor do I associate with hypocrites. I abhor the assembly of evildoers and refuse to sit with the wicked.” – Psalms 26:4-5
Proverbs 28:7 – Wise individuals uphold the law and choose friends carefully
“A discerning son heeds instruction, but a companion of gluttons disgraces his father.” – Proverbs 28:7
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – Good friends support and uplift each other
“Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labor: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them.” – Ecclesiastes 4:9-10
Romans 16:17 – We must avoid those causing divisions
“I urge you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching you have learned. Keep away from them.” – Romans 16:17
Proverbs 4:23 – Guard your heart against toxic influences
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” – Proverbs 4:23
Proverbs 14:7 – Seek wisdom in your friendships
“Stay away from a fool, for you will not find knowledge on their lips.” – Proverbs 14:7
Galatians 5:9 – Small influences can have significant impacts
“A little yeast works through the whole batch of dough.” – Galatians 5:9
Proverbs 15:18 – A quick temperate friend can escalate conflicts
“A hot-tempered person stirs up conflict, but the one who is patient calms a quarrel.” – Proverbs 15:18
Philippians 3:20 – Our citizenship encourages us to choose friends wisely
“But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.” – Philippians 3:20
Proverbs 19:20 – Wisdom encourages heeding counsel
“Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end, you will be counted among the wise.” – Proverbs 19:20
Psalms 119:63 – Friends that fear the Lord are true companions
“I am a friend to all who fear you, to all who follow your precepts.” – Psalms 119:63
Ephesians 5:11 – We should expose toxic associations
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Ephesians 5:11
1 John 2:15 – Loving the world distracts from genuine love for God
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.” – 1 John 2:15
Proverbs 10:9 – Integrity ensures safety in our walk
“Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.” – Proverbs 10:9
Proverbs 4:14-15 – Avoid the path of the wicked
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked, or walk in the way of evildoers. Avoid it; do not travel on it. Turn from it and go on your way.” – Proverbs 4:14-15
Matthew 5:10 – Righteousness brings blessings
“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 5:10
1 Peter 4:3 – Past lifestyles can lead to toxic relationships
“For you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do—living in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable idolatries.” – 1 Peter 4:3
Romans 12:2 – Transforming our minds leads to wise choices
“Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.” – Romans 12:2
John 15:13 – True friendship isn’t toxic but sacrificial
“Greater love has no one than this: to lay down one’s life for one’s friends.” – John 15:13
Psalms 119:104 – Discerning friendships require wisdom
“I gain understanding from your precepts; therefore, I hate every wrong path.” – Psalms 119:104