A Faithful Friend

A Faithful Friend (Proverbs 27:5-6)

Proverbs 27:5-6, “Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

An honest friend will display their love to their friend by correcting them and keeping them from a foolish or fatal act. The kisses of an enemy are deceitful. This warns us that not all kisses are the “Hi, Great to see you” greetings of a friend. They may come from an enemy and be deceitful. Unfortunately, the Bible is filled with numerous examples of the deceptive kisses of an enemy. The most famous kiss of an enemy was Judas Iscariot kissing Jesus. Though he claimed to be a friend and kissed Christ, he was a traitor.

Faithful are the wounds of a friend. A mark of a faithful friend is that they will be willing to wound us with loving correction. The correction may not feel good but it will be an expression of the love and faithfulness of a friend. The ‘wounds’ are the painful words that must be addressed in a true friendship in order to heal a broken relationship. Before anyone engages in correcting their wayward friend, they should pray for wisdom. Seeking the Lord to lead them in ministering to them as they speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15).

1. Be candid.
This means we should be direct and honest and not deceitful. If we want to build relationships with others, we must be honest. This means telling people what they need to hear, not what they want to hear. Anyone who has a “friend” who refuses to tell them when they are doing wrong, or who plans or participates, they are not their friend. The Bible warns that they are your enemies and their kisses are deceitful. If they really love you, they will say to you, “You know what you are doing is wrong. You know it is different from what you have been taught. You know that God cannot bless it.”

If we are true friends, we will tell our friends the truth to help them, even if it might make them annoyed with us. Always compliment in public and correct in private. No marriage, friendship, or other relationship can survive unless it is built on candidness and honesty.

2. Be confidential.
There are very few people who can be trusted with sensitive, personal information. We all need a friend with whom we can share our hurts, fears, and frustrations. One of the quickest ways to hurt people is to repeat a confidence.

Friends are some of life’s most valuable assets. Acquaintances in life are many; true friends are few. A friend is a trusted confidante whose love is not dependent on performance, and whose influence draws others closer to God. Everyone needs a friend who will be loving and honest to restore them with their faults and flaws. The Lord Jesus Christ saw our greatest need, and He offered us His friendship. If we are to be Christ like, we should show this same friendship of Christ to others.

PRAYER: Father, thank You that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ. You did not forget me nor You did You leave me alone. Thank You for saving me and for being a faithful friend. In Jesus name, Amen.

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