Friends. We all love to have them. Some of our friendships began
when we were in grade school. Others are as new as last week.
Friends add vibrancy to the fabric that we call life.

It is wonderful to maintain friendships but it is also wise to let
some fade away. Some friends are unhealthy influences from the
start. Others can become that way as one or both of you change your
values for living.

While good friends can bring much joy and aid to your marriage, bad
friends can possibly destroy it. How do you know if your
friendships are unhealthy? Here are some clues.

# A friendship needs to end if that friend doesn't get along with
your best friend (your spouse).

# You know you have an unhealthy friendship if they entice you to
do things you feel you shouldn't be doing. That could be going to
bars, smoking, swearing, being unethical at work or spending too
much money on unnecessary items.

# A bad friend constantly puts down other people and their
negativity gets you to be super critical too.

# A bad friend encourages you to seek revenge or "make your spouse
pay" if they hurt you in some way. They tell you to only care about
yourself.

# A friendship is unhealthy if a friend doesn't respect your
spiritual values and beliefs.

# A friend is no friend if they don't give back to the
relationship.