12. How Can You Become God’s Friend?

1 JEHOVAH’S FRIENDS OBEY HIM

“Obey my voice, and I will become your God, and you will become my people.”​—Jeremiah 7:23

Is it possible to become God’s friend?

• Genesis 22:18; James 2:23

  Abraham became Jehovah’s friend because he listened to God and put faith in Him.

• 2 Chronicles 16:9

  Jehovah will help those who are obedient.

• Psalm 25:14; 32:8

  Jehovah gives insight to his friends.

• Psalm 55:22

  Jehovah will support his friends.

2 JOB WAS GOD’S FRIEND AND STAYED FAITHFUL

“In all of this, Job did not sin or accuse God of doing anything wrong.”​—Job 1:22

How did Satan attack Job, and how did Job react?

• Job 1:10, 11

  Satan claimed that Job was selfish and did not love God.

• Job 1:12-19; 2:7

  Jehovah allowed Satan to take everything away from Job, and Satan even struck Job with a terrible disease.

• Job 27:5

  Job did not know why he was suffering so much, but he stayed faithful.

3 SATAN TRIES TO TURN YOU AWAY FROM JEHOVAH

“A man will give everything that he has for his life.”​—Job 2:4

How does Satan try to destroy our friendship with Jehovah?

• 2 Corinthians 11:14

  Satan tries to trick us into disobeying Jehovah.

• Proverbs 24:10

  He tries to make us feel that we are not good enough to serve Jehovah.

• 1 Peter 5:8

  Satan persecutes us.

• Proverbs 27:11

  Choose to obey Jehovah and be his loyal friend. This will prove that Satan is a liar.

4 WE OBEY JEHOVAH BECAUSE WE LOVE HIM

“This is what the love of God means, that we observe his commandments.”​—1 John 5:3

How can you become Jehovah’s friend?

• Deuteronomy 6:5

  Show love for God. This will help you to be obedient.

• Isaiah 48:17, 18

  Obey Jehovah, and you will always benefit.

• Deuteronomy 30:11-14

  Trust that Jehovah will never ask you to do something you cannot do.

• Philippians 4:13

  Do what is right, and Jehovah will give you the strength you need.