Bad company corrupts good morals.
I Corinthians 15:33; Bad company corrupts good character. Proverbs 13:20 Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.
It would appear the Bible confirms what my mother used to tell me about friends. “Son no matter how you try you cannot change your friends for the better, but they will certainly change you for the worse.”
According to I Corinthians 15:33 and Proverbs 13:20 she was correct.
But she went a step further and said, “If a christian friend comes to you with love and with the compassion of Christ and points out a fault in your life, pay attention for they have been sent by God.”
Proverbs 25:11-12 Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a word spoken in right circumstances. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reporover to a listening ear. Proverbs 27:6 puts it in perspective. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.
In closing Proverbs 27:9, 17; Oil and perfume make the heart glad, so a man’s counsel is sweet to his firend. Iron sharpens iron, so one man sharpens anothers.
The Bible challenges us to choise our friends wisely but treat all, even our enemy with kindness and respect.
The Bible In Your Hand 