How can we get an insight into someone’s REAL character and personality?

The Bible has many interesting pieces of advice and one regarding the character of people is this;

“A man that has friends shows himself to be friendly.”

On first reading one might say; “duh.. a person who is friendly has lots of friends!” but actually as usual with The Bible it’s meaning is a little deeper and very useful.

Consider it from the opposite angle; it’s really saying; any man that has lots of friends (and equally you could substitute; that is of good character) is more likely to be friendly (and of good character).

In other words, by getting to know the friends of someone you will get to know what the person in question is like. Lets face it, how many characters who are unsavoury have many friends of good character and vice versa?

So if you want to know about someone – get to know their friends, get to know the people they wish to associate with – not necessarily their family since this may tell you something about inherited characteristics and family are not friends by choice.

Another good way to assess someone when dating especially is to visit a person’s church and meet their church friends – another great indicator and insight into someone will be found here.