why it is important to have christian friends

This past weekend i had a sleepover to celebrate my 18th birthday, all the girls i invited were from my church .Being a teenager (well now I'm an adult :p) its hard to find friends that are a good influence and that can help you with your walk with God. Ive only been a christian since i was sixteen , and "REAL" christian friends that are truly living for Christ  are A LOT different than your average people that you meet. I am so blessed to have the friends that i have for many reasons. I believe that God puts these people in my life to help me with my walk with God, and also so that i can help my friends.The bible talks about being equally yolked, and how believers should not be unequally yolked with unbelievers and i have tried  countless times to be  close friends with people who are completely against what i believe in, and usually one of two things happen, 1. I choose to give up those friends because maintaining a friendship with an unbeliever is very difficult, or 2. getting influenced and sucked into their way of thinking,living,and acting. Now I'm not saying this will happen to you , this is just my experience.

2 Corinthians 6:14

 Do not be unequally yoked with unbelievers. For what partnership has righteousness with lawlessness? Or what fellowship has light with darkness?