(Prov 27:6 NLT) Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.
This morning we continue our series entitled, “Unlocking the Power of Proverbs – Walking in the Wisdom of God.” This verse flows in the same vein as the last. Solomon is once again teaching us about receiving correction, but this time he drives home the point that most of the time sincere correction comes from a true friend. A true friend is willing to risk you getting upset with them in order to help you with their constructive criticism. Receiving the correction may be unpleasant, but it helps to know the person from which the correction is coming. When you know their heart you know they have your best interests in mind, and that knowledge helps you receive their stinging words in the love in which they were shared. On the other hand, your enemies use the opposite tactic. Instead of upsetting you by telling you the truth in love, in hopes of seeing you do better, your enemies will smile in your face and put their arm around your shoulder, all-the-while seeking to deceive you with their niceties long enough to do you harm. Enemies whisper sweet words to you and then happily send you on your way down the road to destruction.
18th century theologian John Gill had the following to say about this verse: “Friendly reproofs; which, though they may be severe, at least thought so, and may grieve and wound, and cause pain and uneasiness for the present, yet, proceeding from a spirit of love, faithfulness, and integrity, and designed for the good of the person reproved, ought to be kindly received. On the other hand, the kisses of an enemy are deceitful; they flow from a deceitful heart, and are not to be confided in, as the kisses of Joab and Judas.” Most of us are familiar with what Judas did to Jesus, but let me tell you what Joab did to Amasa. Read the entire chapter when you get a chance. Joab approached Amasa to kill him, but he used a deceptive tactic, saying, “How are you, my friend?” Once his guard was Joab stabbed Amasa in the belly, and his insides spilled out on the ground. Amasa died immediately from that one blow (see 2 Sam 20). Joab and Judas give us examples of those you who approach you with a smile and a kiss, only to betray you with their deceit.
Let me bring up one last point. Moses said, “Never hate another Israelite. Be sure to correct your neighbor so that you will not be guilty of sinning along with him” (Lev 19:17). If your brother is doing wrong and you know about it, then not only should you approach him and address the issue in love, because that is the right thing to do, but you also want to make sure that you don’t have his blood on your hands if his wayward activity leads to something that could have been avoided had you stepped in.
So what does this mean to you today? A few things:
1. Trust a friend who loves you enough to tell you the truth. A true friend’s cutting words may hurt, but they are designed to help you.
2. Pray for discernment when dealing with enemies. Keep you guard up when a person you know doesn’t care for you approaches you with unexpected kindness.
3. Have the courage to be led of the Spirit. The Holy Spirit will sometimes lead you to address tough issues with your friends. While it is uncomfortable, it is necessary. You must have the courage to say what He leads you to say, in love, even when you don’t want to.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for this Word. You once again remind me that I have a role to play in the lives of those I love. I am led of You in all things. I do whatever You lead me to do, even when it requires speaking uncomfortable words. I know that one of Your methods of reaching humans is through other humans, so I declare that I will both receive Your correction from others and I will be the conduit through which You send the correction to others if that is what You choose to do. I will not have my brother’s blood on my hands because I was too much of a coward to address an issue. I have the courage to speak the truth in love. I also declare, by faith, that I have the discernment to know when people are attempting to deceive me with sweet words. Thank You Father for protecting me from every attack and every attacker. In Jesus’ name. Amen!
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper!
