Faithful Wounds of a Friend

Reading for Today: Proverb Chapter 27

Gold Nugget

Verse 6: “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

Commentary

Have you noticed that when you get a new car, you start noticing all the other cars of the same make and model all around you? They've been around you all this time, but because of their familiarity, you recognize them more readily. Reading Proverbs every day, you will find these little phrases from scripture popping into your head just at the appropriate times, revealing their applications due to their familiarity. I remember a time when I was having some concerns about my personal life and how it related to ministry. A friend was bold enough to address his concerns directly to me and I’ll have to say, not enough people do this. When we see in issue in someone’s life, we find it a lot easier to discuss that issue with everyone except that individual. The real downfall to this is never allowing the person to heal, repent or whatever may be warranted. They too often, never even knew you had an issue. In our society of failing accountability, we assume that our correction or maybe even rebuke, will not serve any purpose. That being said, Christians are not subject to the sliding scale of society, but by the established Word of God. The Word of God tells us, as in today’s “gold nugget”, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

It’s better to be wounded by the truth, than comforted with a lie. My friend risked wounding me because of His greater concern for the truth than for anything else. He knows that the faithful wound of a friend will do more for us, than those that think ill of us while speaking nicely to our face. I was blessed by the sincere concern he had and was happy to accept his words. I can’t say that I would have seen the pure motive if it weren't for the Word of God that was apparent in the scenario. This scripture is was what came to my mind at that time and am reminded of it when I read the chapter for today. If you are still living in the precepts defined in the Word of God, you can be sure that He will send you someone else that is also. This person may have to confront you one day. How will you respond? Will you receive it in the spirit it was intended or will you with pride, reject it and potentially halt your growth and effectiveness?

Prayer

Lord, sometimes you send a gentle servant to administer accountability and truth; sometimes you send a rod and a staff. I pray that you will give me a spirit of correctability that will allow me to learn from either one. Amen

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