Can a man have too many “friends” (7453)? In English the word seems to be used twice. We need to look a little deeper on this. The entity that can destroy you is most commonly translated “neighbor.” This is the word used in the verse quoted by Jesus.
(Leviticus 19:18 KJV) Thou shalt not avenge, nor bear any grudge against the children of thy people, but thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself: I am the LORD.I think this is referring to the person who is friends with the world. Everyone is your buddy. In a sense it shows a lack of discernment.
There is a very real sense in which we are not to get involved with everyone we meet. Remember the words of Paul,
(2 Corinthians 6:17 KJV) Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,Paul was very good at relating to non-believers but he reserved his in depth relationships for brothers and sisters in Christ. We could learn from his example.
So? Can we hide in a closet? No, but we can pick whom we will focus our energy on and whom we will trust. Neighbors are not necessarily friends.
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