The book of Proverbs in the bible is a book of applicable wisdom. Words that help you live a better life and a godly life. One such bit of advice from Proverbs is found in Proverbs 27:

Proverbs 27:6,  Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.

In plain language it means a true friend will correct you in love but an enemy will love you to your own destruction.

In today’s world things seem very distorted and confusing. Seems more people always want praise and adoration and often do not look to be corrected or set on a better path. This world more and more rewards destructive behavior under the label of “authenticating oneself.” In some cases offering to provide avenues and means free of cost to us at our pleasure. The societies we see around reward the very things that lead to our destruction. It takes many forms including for them to profit from it or to gain for themselves only.  The flattery and “kisses” Proverbs talks about are the deceptions.  When you see all of this as a Christian and apply Proverbs 27:6 we see that we must be weary of things like this in our own life.

When a true friend wounds you from his or her heart it is an act of love to get you to be a better person in the end. A true friend does not want anything to harm you or the relationship they have with you. When they have your interests in mind in their correction it is a true act of courage and of love.

In the past, it was common to trust those close to you to correct you from mistakes you make. Now it seems like those are morals you only find in movies. Still those who do so with true intentions are those you want close in life no matter what. Those are the friends that remain while all others fade away over time.

Being in Jesus Christ we will have those wounds from a friend that He is. He is always shaping us and correcting us in our lives. Even giving His life for us as an ultimate act of love.  Remember that when you are being corrected through trials and difficulties as these events serve to wound us for our own gain. He knows what we will be in the end. He knows the glory he has waiting for us through all the difficulties we face. As a true friend he also strengthened us through these wounds too. We always have to trust in faith that all these things are worth us reaching that end in Him.

In Christ always,      

Steve Koenig

Lakeshore Fellowship