It was in middle school that I came to see that not all friendships were equally good for me. That’s a tough lesson to learn. One friend stood out as especially life-draining. Lunchtime conversation was about his interests (professional wrestling) even if the rest of us couldn’t tell Roddy Piper from the Iron Sheik. He was eager to talk and laugh about other classmates and you knew he would be talking and laughing about you as soon as you stepped out of earshot. When I began to outshine him on the swimming team, our friendship was replaced up by an ice-cold jealousy. Some friendships are fountains of life… and others are the opposite.
The book of Proverbs uses the phrase “fountain of life” four times to refer to character traits that bring spiritual vitality in relationships. These qualities are what we seek in healthy friendships and what we hope to foster in ourselves.
The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.
Proverbs 10:11, ESV
A person who makes righteousness – right standing with God –a priority will use their words for God’s purposes. The tongue is a powerful tool for good, but can recklessly poison a relationship (James 3:8). The people in your life who have been a constant blessing to others are careful to make their words a fountain of life.
The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Proverbs 13:14, ESV
The difficult choices in life require the advice of wise, experienced teachers. In an age where internet searches bring quick, easy answers, there is still no substitute for truly perceptive counsel. Learning from trials now will prepare you for the day when you can be a fountain of life for someone else through biblical, wise answers.
Good sense is a fountain of life to him who has it, but the instruction of fools is folly.
Proverbs 16:22, ESV
The Hebrew word here for “good sense” is usually translated “insight”. This is the understanding gained by not only living life but also by learning from the failures of the past. The fool does not learn from mistakes but only multiplies folly. The insight God gives us when we are teachable leads to the best kind of life.
The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.
Proverbs 14:27, ESV
True wisdom begins with the fear of the Lord (Proverbs 9:10). Honoring God in your heart transforms every situation into an opportunity to glorify Him. A godly person walks with a contented sincerity that is rarely found in this world (II Corinthians 1:12). Time spent with such devoted people is always refreshing.
There are people around you in desperate need of a life-giving friendships. Let’s cultivate these fountains of life in our hearts and offer relationships that strengthen others