Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.Proverbs 27:5-6
Verbally wounding someone is easy. Cutting them down with our words takes little effort on our part.
Being a friend, though, can be difficult. Friendship takes a commitment to honesty and communication and love. And based on Proverbs, being a friend requires telling the truth—even when it hurts. A friend is more concern for you than just the friendship, so if he must tell you the truth that hurts, he will just have to do it, though with love and sensitivity.
Sadly, though, Christians tend to have a reputation holding back the truth because they are afraid they will lose the friendship. In the process, we simply lie to each other and violate the one biblically ordained way bu which God speaks to us - through our friends.
But if we are going to reach the world for Christ, we need to realize the role that our words play. God wants us to speak the truth in love to everyone, even if it wounds them. Because when we show others that we can be trusted, like a friend, we can make an indelible imprint on their lives today and for eternity.
As you review your relationship with your friends, are you more interested in them or are you just interested in the friendship? Are they truly interested in you as a friend or do they just want
the friendship?
A Prayer for Today
Dear Lord, Sometimes telling the truth is difficult. It's hard to stand up for what is right in your eyes. During those times, I pray that you give me the strength to stand up for what is right and to speak the truth to those around me. Because I know that is the way to gain your approval. In Jesus' name I pray, Amen.
