Wounds from a Friend

⁵ Better is open rebuke
than hidden love.
⁶ Faithful are the wounds of a friend;
profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:5-6

¹⁷ Iron sharpens iron,
and one man sharpens another. Proverbs 27:17

None of these verses describes a “yes” friend – that person who will always tell you “yes,” no matter how crazy or illogical or wrong you are. It’s not that they never agree with you (they can and do!). It’s rather that they are able to disagree and still retain friendship.

For instance, if you are acting like an idiot, they call you on it. If you feel guilty for something you shouldn’t be carrying, they tell you that, too. Part of being a good friend, a Godly friend, involves some potentially uncomfortable moments. One may have to say some hard or uncomfortable truths, because they are best for that person’s soul.

But of course, delivery counts.

It matters how you say a thing as it does what you say. Timing also makes a difference.

¹⁴ Whoever blesses his neighbor with a loud voice,
rising early in the morning,
will be counted as cursing. Proverbs 27:14

¹⁸ There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:18

But a good friend, a true friend, willing to gently correct, to earnestly stir up, to steadily love – that is a gift indeed.

⁹ Oil and perfume make the heart glad,
and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel. Proverbs 27:9

Photo by Hannah Busing on Unsplash