“It is good for us to be reproved, and told of our faults,
by our friends. If true love in the heart has but zeal and courage enough to
show itself in dealing plainly with our friends, and reproving them for what
they say and do amiss, this is really better, not only than secret hatred (as
Leviticus 19:17), but than secret love, that love to our neighbours which does
not show itself in this good fruit, which compliments them in their sins, to
the prejudice of their souls. Faithful are the reproofs of a friend, though for
the present they are painful as wounds. It is a sign that our friends are
faithful indeed if, in love to our souls, they will not suffer sin upon us, nor
let us alone in it. The physician’s care is to cure the patient’s disease, not
to please his palate. It is dangerous to be caressed and flattered by an enemy,
whose kisses are deceitful. We can take no pleasure in them because we can put
no confidence in them (Joab’s kiss and Judas’ were deceitful), and therefore we
have need to stand upon our guard, that we be not deluded by them; they are to
be deprecated. Some read it: The Lord deliver us from an enemy’s kisses, from
lying lips, and from a deceitful tongue.” - Matthew Henry
Are
you willing to receive rebuke from a friend or do you want to hear only the good? This scripture points out that love that has nothing
to show for itself is useless! Love that
acts, even in rebuke, is much better to receive. So again I ask are you willing
to receive truth that may hurt? This truth spoken in love, that can hurt, also
helps. It grows us. It refines us. It helps to sharpen our perspective. It
develops our character…if we’ll allow it and do not resist. The writer of this
proverb goes on to say “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.”
(Proverbs 27:17) Praise God for those faithful friends who love us enough to be
a source of sharpening; to wound for our benefit.
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