Everyone wants to enjoy happy relationships with others. This is most people’s goal; however, we often see troubled relationships that cause pain for all involved. Whether it’s a friendship or a marriage, the bonds that people forge with each other can result in either good or evil. God wants all our relationships to be fulfilling; the Bible has plenty to say about choosing godly friends and developing and maintaining the right relationships.

When we don’t follow God’s guidelines in this area, we can run into trouble. The first relationship was between Adam and Eve, but it went downhill when they sinned and turned away from God’s will for them. They had the best of intentions, but everything went wrong when they began listening to the serpent’s voice instead of God’s voice. Fast-forwarding to the present, nothing has changed: God still needs to be at the center of every relationship for it to be successful. “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you” (Matthew 6:33).

Exemplifying Christian behavior is crucial to being a good representative of God’s kingdom. When we believe strongly in God’s Word, this belief will move from our intellectual minds down into our hearts and show up in our speech and our actions. “Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good.  Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another; not lagging in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord” (Romans 12:9-11, NKJV). Doing this makes us stand out from the rest of the world and attract like-minded individuals whose heartfelt spiritual values line up with ours. Being surrounded by godly people involves putting God first.

Today’s “dating scene” is unholy; following the standards the world follows to find a husband or a wife is therefore a big mistake. God loves us and wants us to be happy, and He delights in using other people to show us that love. Sadly, getting involved with the wrong kind of person gives the devil an opportunity to use those closest to us to inflict pain and suffering. “Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people” (2 Corinthians 6:14-16). Too many divorces take place because people ignore this warning; listening to God in this area greatly reduces the chances of a painful breakup.

God wants to bless us with Christian friends and a godly marriage, but He ultimately lets us make our own decisions in choosing our friends and future spouse. Associating with the wrong group of people leads us down the wrong path, creating a major stumbling block for us. “Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships (communion, associations) corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character” (1 Corinthians 15:33, AMPC). Praying for guidance in what relationships we should embrace—and which ones to avoid—really works. God will always honor this type of prayer.