Proverbs 27:5-6 “Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
In this age of technology, we spend more time talking to machines then we do actual people face to face. It could be said that we have become so busy and, yes, self-absorbed, that we have no time left to truly know someone. It is true of our relationship with God and it is true of our interpersonal relationships as well. We may have brief snippets of conversations in passing or before or after church service, but what about friends. Do we truly have any close friends? People we would trust our life with; people we could share anything with. When we have a troublesome problem, is there someone that immediately comes to mind that we could unload on. And what of chastising someone for a sin you see them committing. That would be showing them love. To let someone continue on in their sin is not love at all but fear of rejection or not wanting to upset them. We can trust the wounds of a friend. We know they do it in love for our benefit. Those that patronize us or flatter us with compliments and praise cannot be trusted at all. It is better that a friend come up to you and confront you with a problem they have with you then to hide it inside and let it slide.
Be careful of those who are just tellin’ it like it is or only expressing how they feel. Many times it is just an excuse to rip a person unmercifully regarding some trivial matter to establish a pecking order either at work or even church. No one likes to be rebuked, but it is the faithful rebuke of a friend that in the end becomes a salve to your wounded soul. True friends can be trusted no matter what. I have a dear friend whom I have never met except through emails and a few phone calls, but know I can trust him with anything and discuss with him concerns, important upcoming decisions and in general, the issues of life … and I ask him to pray for me. A true friend will offer to pray without being asked. He is that type of friend. He has rebuked me, instructed me and loved me through many a trial, and me for him as well. And I couldn’t even tell you what he looked like if my life depended on it.
God is very good to us. He is faithful and true. His rebuke to us through a brother or sister in Christ can correct our wrong behavior and thus save us discomfort and pain in the future. Beware those who are disingenuous, embrace those you know in your spirit you can trust with all things.
WALK WITH THE KING TODAY AND BE A BLESSING!!
