Friendship is one of the greatest gifts in life, offering support, joy, and companionship. However, when friendship turns toxic, it can lead to heartache, conflict, and spiritual malaise. The Bible provides guidance on how to identify and distance oneself from friendships that are harmful to one’s well-being and spiritual growth. Below are key Bible verses relating to toxic friendship, along with cross-references that offer further biblical insights.
Bible Verses about Toxic Friendship
1. Proverbs 13:20 – Association with the Wise
“Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.” – Proverbs 13:20
Cross-References
2. Proverbs 27:6 – The Faithful vs. the Deceptive
“Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.” – Proverbs 27:6
Cross-References
Psalm 55:21 – “His talk is smooth as butter, yet war is in his heart; his words are more soothing than oil, yet they are drawn swords.”
Job 16:20 – “My intercessor is my friend as my eyes pour out tears to God.”
Proverbs 27:5 – “Better is open rebuke than hidden love.”
3. 1 Corinthians 15:33 – The Influence of Bad Company
“Do not be misled: ‘Bad company corrupts good character.’” – 1 Corinthians 15:33
Cross-References
4. Proverbs 22:24-25 – The Trap of Anger
“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
Cross-References
Ecclesiastes 7:9 – “Do not be quickly provoked in your spirit, for anger resides in the lap of fools.”
Proverbs 29:22 – “An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins.”
James 1:19-20 – “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.”
5. Psalm 1:1 – The Joy of Righteous Company
“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.” – Psalm 1:1
Cross-References
Jeremiah 15:17 – “I never sat in the company of revelers, never made merry with them; I sat alone because your hand was on me and you had filled me with indignation.”
Job 11:14-15 – “If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, free of fault, you will lift up your face; you will stand firm and without fear.”
6. Proverbs 17:9 – Forgiveness in Friendship
“Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” – Proverbs 17:9
Cross-References
1 Peter 4:8 – “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
Proverbs 10:12 – “Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.”
Colossians 3:13 – “Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.”
7. Proverbs 6:16-19 – A Warning Against Discord
“There are six things the Lord hates, seven that are detestable to him… a person who stirs up conflict in the community.” – Proverbs 6:16-19
Cross-References
James 3:16 – “For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.”
8. Ephesians 5:11 – Exposing Deeds of Darkness
“Have nothing to do with the fruitless deeds of darkness, but rather expose them.” – Ephesians 5:11
Cross-References
Romans 13:12 – “The night is nearly over; the day is almost here. So let us put aside the deeds of darkness and put on the armor of light.”
1 Thessalonians 5:5 – “You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness.”
9. Proverbs 16:28 – Troublemakers and Friendships
“A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.” – Proverbs 16:28
Cross-References
Titus 3:2 – “To slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.”
Proverbs 26:20 – “Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.”
10. Proverbs 20:19 – The Dangers of Gossip
“A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.” – Proverbs 20:19
Cross-References
James 4:11 – “Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brother or sister or judges them speaks against the law and judges it.”
Leviticus 19:16 – “Do not go about spreading slander among your people. Do not do anything that endangers your neighbor’s life. I am the Lord.”
Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”
11. 2 Thessalonians 3:6 – Withdrawal from the Disorderly
“In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers and sisters, to keep away from every believer who is idle and disruptive and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” – 2 Thessalonians 3:6
Cross-References
Matthew 18:17 – “If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.”
12. Romans 16:17 – Avoiding Divisive People
“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
Cross-References
Galatians 5:12 – “As for those agitators, I wish they would go the whole way and emasculate themselves!”
1 Timothy 6:3-5 – “If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions.”
13. Proverbs 26:24-25 – False Friendships
“Enemies disguise themselves with their lips, but in their hearts they harbor deceit. Though their speech is charming, do not believe them, for seven abominations fill their hearts.” – Proverbs 26:24-25
Cross-References
Psalm 28:3 – “Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.”
Proverbs 23:7 – “For he is the kind of person who is always thinking about the cost. ‘Eat and drink,’ he says to you, but his heart is not with you.”
Matthew 7:15 – “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.”
14. Proverbs 12:26 – Choosing Friends Carefully
“The righteous choose their friends carefully, but the way of the wicked leads them astray.” – Proverbs 12:26
Cross-References
Psalms 101:6 – “My eyes will be on the faithful in the land, that they may dwell with me; the one whose walk is blameless will minister to me.”
Proverbs 18:24 – “One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.”
15. Galatians 5:19-21 – Acts of Discord
“The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” – Galatians 5:19-21
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 6:10 – “Nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God.”
Ephesians 5:5 – “For of this you can be sure: No immoral, impure or greedy person—such a person is an idolater—has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.”
Colossians 3:5-6 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, the wrath of God is coming.”
16. Matthew 7:6 – Sacred and Profane
“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
Cross-References
Proverbs 9:7-8 – “Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked incurs abuse. Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.”
Proverbs 23:9 – “Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words.”
2 Timothy 2:16 – “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.”
17. 2 Timothy 3:5 – Appearance of Godliness
“Having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with such people.” – 2 Timothy 3:5
Cross-References
Matthew 23:28 – “In the same way, on the outside you appear to people as righteous but on the inside you are full of hypocrisy and wickedness.”
Titus 1:16 – “They claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.”
James 1:26 – “Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.”
18. Matthew 18:15-17 – Addressing Sinful Behavior
“If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector.” – Matthew 18:15-17
Cross-References
Galatians 6:1 – “Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted.”
1 Timothy 5:20 – “But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.”
Luke 17:3 – “So watch yourselves. If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them.”
19. Proverbs 4:14-15 – Avoiding the Wicked Path
“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
Cross-References
Isaiah 1:16 – “Wash and make yourselves clean. Take your evil deeds out of my sight; stop doing wrong.”
James 4:7 – “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
20. Titus 3:10 – Treatment of a Divisive Person
“Warn a divisive person once, and then warn them a second time. After that, have nothing to do with them.” – Titus 3:10
Cross-References
21. Proverbs 25:19 – The Unreliability of False Friends
“Like a broken tooth or a lame foot is reliance on the unfaithful in a time of trouble.” – Proverbs 25:19
Cross-References
Job 6:15 – “But my brothers are as undependable as intermittent streams, as the streams that overflow.”
Proverbs 28:13 – “Whoever conceals their sins does not prosper, but the one who confesses and renounces them finds mercy.”
22. James 4:4 – Friendship with the World
“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
Cross-References
1 John 2:15 – “Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in them.”
Romans 8:7 – “The mind governed by the flesh is hostile to God; it does not submit to God’s law, nor can it do so.”
John 15:19 – “If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.”
23. Proverbs 11:9 – Hypocritical Companions
“With their mouths the godless destroy their neighbors, but through knowledge the righteous escape.” – Proverbs 11:9
Cross-References
Psalm 12:2 – “Everyone lies to their neighbor; they flatter with their lips but harbor deception in their hearts.”
James 3:8 – “But no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.”
Proverbs 10:21 – “The lips of the righteous nourish many, but fools die for lack of sense.”
24. Matthew 12:34 – The Truth of the Heart Revealed
“You brood of vipers, how can you who are evil say anything good? For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” – Matthew 12:34
Cross-References
Luke 6:45 – “A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.”
Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
James 3:10 – “Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.”
25. 1 Corinthians 5:11 – Separating from Sinful Associates
“But now I am writing to you that you must not associate with anyone who claims to be a brother or sister but is sexually immoral or greedy, an idolater or slanderer, a drunkard or swindler. Do not even eat with such people.” – 1 Corinthians 5:11
Cross-References
2 Corinthians 6:17 – “‘Therefore, come out from them and be separate,’ says the Lord. ‘Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you.'”
Ephesians 5:7 – “Therefore do not be partners with them.”
26. 1 John 4:1 – Testing Friendships
“Dear friends, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, because many false prophets have gone out into the world.” – 1 John 4:1
Cross-References
1 Thessalonians 5:21 – “But test them all; hold on to what is good.”
2 John 1:7 – “I say this because many deceivers, who do not acknowledge Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh, have gone out into the world. Any such person is the deceiver and the antichrist.”
1 Corinthians 12:10 – “To another miraculous powers, to another prophecy, to another distinguishing between spirits, to another speaking in different kinds of tongues, and to still another the interpretation of tongues.”
27. Ephesians 4:29 – Wholesome Talk
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” – Ephesians 4:29
Cross-References
Colossians 3:8 – “But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips.”
Proverbs 15:4 – “The soothing tongue is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit.”
James 1:19 – “My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.”
28. 2 Corinthians 6:14 – Incompatible Partnerships
“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
Cross-References
1 Corinthians 7:39 – “A woman is bound to her husband as long as he lives. But if her husband dies, she is free to marry anyone she wishes, but he must belong to the Lord.”
Amos 3:3 – “Do two walk together unless they have agreed to do so?”
1 John 1:6 – “If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth.”
29. 1 Corinthians 13:4-6 – Love in True Friendship
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.” – 1 Corinthians 13:4-6
Cross-References
Colossians 3:14 – “And over all these virtues put on love, which binds them all together in perfect unity.”
1 Peter 3:8 – “Finally, all of you, be like-minded, be sympathetic, love one another, be compassionate and humble.”
Romans 12:9 – “Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.”
30. Matthew 5:29-30 – Radical Measures for Avoidance
“If your right eye causes you to stumble, gouge it out and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. And if your right hand causes you to stumble, cut it off and throw it away. It is better for you to lose one part of your body than for your whole body to go into hell.” – Matthew 5:29-30
Cross-References
Colossians 3:5 – “Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.”
1 Corinthians 9:27 – “No, I strike a blow to my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize.”
Mark 9:43 – “If your hand causes you to stumble, cut it off. It is better for you to enter life maimed than with two hands to go into hell, where the fire never goes out.”
31. Psalm 141:5 – The Value of a Righteous Rebuke
“Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers.” – Psalm 141:5
Cross-References
Proverbs 9:8 – “Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.”
Ezekiel 3:20 – “Again, when a righteous person turns from their righteousness and does evil, and I put a stumbling block before them, they will die. Since you did not warn them, they will die for their sin. The righteous things that person did will not be remembered, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.”
32. Proverbs 27:17 – Sharpening One Another
“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” – Proverbs 27:17
Cross-References
1 Thessalonians 5:11 – “Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.”
Hebrews 10:24 – “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds,”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 – “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 up.”
While you’re here, why not explore our latest article on: Bible verses about Friendship and Sisterhood
Final Thoughts on Toxic Friendship
Toxic friendships can distort one’s moral compass, disrupt peace, and strain relationships. In the teachings of the Bible, there is a firm reminder of the importance of discerning healthy from unhealthy relationships. True friendship is built on love, honesty, and mutual respect, reflecting the love that Christ shows us. The Bible encourages believers to surround themselves with individuals who uplift rather than lead astray. In doing so, we are called to exercise wisdom and protect our spiritual journey.
While it may be challenging to sever ties with those who are harmful, it is often necessary for spiritual health and personal growth. The advice found within Scripture calls for discernment, forgiveness, and sometimes the strength to walk away from relationships that are a hindrance rather than a blessing. As iron sharpens iron, may our friendships refine us in faith, wisdom, and purity of heart, leading us closer to the path God has envisioned for every one of us.