Our siblings can drive us round the bend. Whether it's sibling rivalry – that never-ending battle to prove who's better – or stealing our things, starting with our toys and then working their way up to our wardrobe - siblings have a way of winding us up like no one else.
But despite their annoying traits and tendency to push our buttons, they're often some of the very first people we learn to love, learn from and who also learn from us.
As we grow older, we endeavour to treat all of God's children as our brothers and sisters, just as Jesus did (Matthew 12:46-50). Growing up with siblings can give us a head start on this as well as the development of so many other characteristics that we are called to embody as followers of Christ.
As an older sibling we get our first go at being a leader, leading by example through our behaviour and encouraging those younger than us to find their feet. As a younger sibling we learn the value of listening to the advice of someone more experienced than us and accepting the help of others.
Not all sibling relationships are amicable for the most part and sometimes the closeness that once existed reduces over time. However, these particular God-given relationships are ones that we should cherish. Whether you're in the midst of a stand-off with your sibling or are just about to tell them how much you love them, here are seven Bible verses to help you see the beauty of sibling love.
1 Peter 2:17 - Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honour the emperor.
James 5:9 - Don't grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
1 John 4:20 - Whoever claims to love God yet hates a brother or sister is a liar. For whoever does not love their brother and sister, whom they have seen, cannot love God, whom they have not seen.
Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 - Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their labour: If either of them falls down, one can help the other up. But pity anyone who falls and has no one to help them up.
Proverbs 17:17 - A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a time of adversity.
1 John 3:14 - We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love each other. Anyone who does not love remains in death.
Proverbs 7:4 - Say to wisdom, "You are my sister," and to insight, "You are my relative."
