Charles Stanley Daily Devotional 17 October 2025 (In Touch): Building Lasting Friendships

Charles Stanley Daily Devotional 17 October 2025 (In Touch) Friday Message

Charles Stanley Daily Devotional TOPIC: Building Lasting Friendships

TODAY’S SCRPTURE: Romans 12:10-11

How many true friends do you have? At first, lots of names may come to mind, but the longer you think about it, that number will likely dwindle. Many of us do not have a great quantity of genuine friends—the ones who remain loyal no matter what.

This dependable, intimate closeness is what the Lord wants for us, but it’s a rare treasure. The biblical account of David and Jonathan (1 Samuel 18:1-30; 1 Samuel 19:1-24; 1 Samuel 20:1-42) can help us learn how to foster such a relationship. Their story demonstrates that genuine friendships are built upon a foundation of mutual respect, love, and authentic commitment. Today, let’s explore the first component.

For true companionship, there must be appreciation by both parties of the other’s godly qualities. This starts with an attitude of valuing all people, knowing that they were created in God’s image and are loved by Him. But at the same time, the regard that David and Jonathan displayed toward one another was greater than mere respect; it revealed admiration for the attributes each had that were commended in Scripture.

Consider your friends. Do they exhibit godly characteristics that you respect? And do they, in turn, have admiration for the biblical qualities they see in you? This mutual respect is a necessary foundation for genuine friendship.

BIBLE IN A YEAR: Mark 10-12

THOUGHT FOR TODAY: Genuine friendship is built upon a foundation of mutual love, respect, and commitment.

Dr. Charles F. Stanley was the founder of In Touch Ministries and a New York Times best-selling author. Throughout his ministry, he demonstrated a keen awareness of people’s needs and provided Christ-centered biblically based principles for everyday life