Faithful Are the Wounds

"Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy" (Prov. 27:5-6, ESV).

A recent encounter reminded me of the truthfulness of this passage.  Solomon reminds us that love speaks the truth, even when it is unpleasant.  An open rebuke creates the opportunity for confession and repentance.  It provides a chance to experience cleansing and renewal.  A hidden love remains just that, hidden.

If a friend's words wound because they are true, it is for our benefit.  Rebuke is an important act of love.  When we neglect it we send the wrong message.  If we don't rebuke those we love when they do wrong, we are telling them that they are not doing anything wrong.  With our silence we condemn them to unrighteousness.

 This passage reminds us to be friends who speak the truth in love, who offer rebuke when needed, and who avoid flattery.  These actions are loving actions.  Hidden love, that is unspoken rebuke, is useless.  It does no one any good.  It hurts the one hiding it, because they never get reciprocation.  It hurts the one it is hidden from, because they never get to experience it.  It takes guts to speak hard truths to people in sin, but those truths are best delivered by tender hearts.