“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)
We are often confused about true friends. We think friends must be the ones always there to be our cheering section, to lead the procession proclaiming our greatness, or who smothers us with vain approval. You know the words they use; you have heard them I am sure. Everyone loves those Facebook likes right. Now before any of us begins to offer rebuke and correction to a “friend” we must first learn what it means to be a true friend and to seek out those few relationships where we can trust the other person, and accept truth spoken to us in love. Because if we don’t approach this as one willing to be corrected before offering correction then we will likely get unfriended and nobody wants that. Facebook a few years ago added a feature to prevent people from being hurt by someone unfriending them, instead we can mute them. Basically, ignore them without them ever knowing. It is interesting how the features of social media mimic real life.
To be a friend seek out those that genuinely care and have the courage to not lead a procession of false praise for you but to take you aside and with compassion and tenderness speak the words that God leads them to say. Not sure where to find such a friend. There is One who stands waiting for you to respond to Him. Jesus wants to be your friend and Holy Spirit waits to speak into your life.
Stop letting all these false friends slobber all over your face and turn to the one true friend God. Be a friend first.
God’s grace and peace to you in Christ.
rockbridgebc.org 