I was recently at a dinner gathering with a few of my close friends. The reason I recognized my friends was the way they greeted me. There were lots of other people in the restaurant who did not get up, look over or acknowledge my entrance in any way. My friends, however, enthusiastically welcomed me into the friendship circle.

The way we greet one another has the potential to enhance the quality of our friendships. So, what are some effective ways to harness the power of greeting one another?

1. Greet One Another With Vibrant Eyes

Proverbs 15:30 says, “Light in a messenger’s eyes brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones.” Jesus repeated this principle in Matthew 6:22, saying, “The eye is the lamp of the body. If your eyes are healthy, your whole body will be full of light.”

As you choose to brighten your eyes, it common for your chin to raise slightly and a smile to break out on your face, both of which express favorable interest. Your friends quickly get the message that you are glad to see them. This simple act brings joy to the heart of your friends and health to their bones!

2. Greet One Another With Encouraging Words

Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” When the first words your friends hear are, “It’s great to see you. Thanks for joining us. We love it when you decide to show up,” they will find the circle of friends irresistible.

3. Greet One Another With Appropriate Physical Contact

The apostle Paul often told his readers to “Greet one another with a holy kiss” (Romans 16:16 is one example). This sounds strange to those of us in North America, but it points to an important part of greeting our friends. Appropriate physical contact makes people feel welcome and sets them at ease.

In Paul’s world, it was common to kiss people on the cheek when you first saw them. In your culture, it may be different. I know in my culture, a handshake is appropriate for acquaintances, a hearty hug is appropriate for my male friends and a side hug is appropriate for my female friends. The only people I greet with a kiss are my wife, my mom and my sister. It is up to you to decide what is appropriate with the people in your life, but making physical contact sends a powerful message of enthusiastic acceptance.

These indicators make it all the more exciting to see my friends. Upon entering the restaurant, my friends all stood up and took turns giving me a hearty hug and saying, “Great to see you, man.” It happened quickly and it wasn’t really a big deal, but it made me feel better about myself and glad I took the time to gather with my friends.

You may also be interested in What Does A BFF Look Like? 3 Examples Of Friendship In The Bible

2 Comments
  1. Good article. It is also encouraging me to read some of your books. You and your wife have good advice for me to work on.

  2. My father-in-law gave the best hugs. You always felt that was so glad to see you.

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