Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are excessive. (27:5-6)
While this sounds really good, and it makes a lot of sense, many people just really don’t want to go there with their friends. It’s easy to think, “I wish someone would tell them…” Part of living in community with others and doing life together means asking the tough questions and “speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15).
So, go ahead and say it. It won’t be easy, but it will be much better in the long run and good for your friend’s growth.
Be wise, my son, and make my heart glad, so that I may answer anyone who taunts me. (27:11)
Every leader or teacher understands this one. There’s no feeling like teaching a great Biblical truth to a group of people (say, at church), only to find your kid doing the exact opposite in the lobby after the service – with everyone watching!
The same is true for God’s family. When the “accuser of our brothers and sisters” (Revelation 12:10) stands before God with his accusations about me and you, does he have anything to say?
A continual dripping on a rainy day and a contentious wife are alike. (27:15)
Thank God I don’t have a “contentious wife”, but I hate rainy days. At least they go away to come again another day. I can’t imagine coming home to that every day. You rock, babe!
As a crucible is for silver and the furnace for gold, so a person is proved by the praise he receives. (27:21)
We all know that a big part of life is how we deal with criticism. We teach our kids how to handle it. is ivomec and ivermectin the same According to Solomon, dealing with praise is just as big. how much ivermectin for a cat How a person handles praise shows a lot about who they are inside. ivexterm patente
How do you manage praise?
Just last week my boss praised me for a report he asked me to compile and I hoped he understood how it made me feel when I told him I appreciated his praise. So often an employee doesn't hear appreciation and although it is his/her job and we as Christians try to do as for the Lord not for man, it is nice to know from man that we are succeeding. Our Lord gets the glory!!
I know it feels good to hear from your boss that they appreciate the job you are doing. I had a supervisor who used to walk around the shop handing out paychecks & would tell everyone thank you for the work you have been doing. He also remembered the would please! His workers would go the extra mile on a regular basis for him.
5-6 Being real and asking a friend "what are you thinking" when they are doing something not right is hard. True friends will understand & respect you for it.
Verse 17, one of my favorites. "As iron sharpens iron, so a person sharpens his friend." This goes with 5-6. 🙂 Just don't sharpen to much or there won't be much leftover.
Verse 17 is interesting. The last phrase literally says, "sharpens the face of his friend.”
The NET Bible study note here is really cool: "The use of the word “face” (cf. KJV, ASV “countenance”) would here emphasize that it is the personality or character that is being sharpened. Constructive criticism sharpens character. Use of the wits in interaction that makes two people sharp as a razor."
Thanks babe 🙂