SCRIPTURE: Proverbs 27
OBSERVATION/APPLICATION:
Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy. [Proverbs 27:6]
Two stories from the life of Jesus come to mind when I think about this passage.
I recall how Jesus speaks sharply to Peter when he resists Jesus’ talk about going to Jerusalem to die.
But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” [Matthew 16:22-23]
And I think about Judas coming up to Jesus in the garden and kissing Him… and betraying Him.
What was better, Jesus’ wounding words or Judas’ kiss?

One thing for sure, there is no doubt that Jesus loved Peter.
All of the disciples sensed Jesus’ love, but they just didn’t understand His mission.
Peter had just boldly declared that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God [Matthew 16:16].
But Peter a bold, proud person, the first to speak out, to air his opinion, and also bragging that he would never betray Jesus [Matthew 26:31-35].
The opening words of Proverbs apply to him: Don’t brag about tomorrow, since you don’t know what the day will bring. Let someone else praise you, not your own mouth— a stranger, not your own lips. [Proverbs 27:1-2]It was his pride that led him to boast about how brave he would be.
And it was this pride that was making him useful to Satan.
Satan was using Peter to try to dissuade Jesus from God’s mission, and Peter was allowing him.
Peter needed to be humbled; this is why Jesus allows Satan to test Peter, to rescue him from his destructive pride.
Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift you as wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith may not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers. [Luke 22:31-32]
Jesus knows that Satan is at work in Peter’s heart, and it was necessary to expose it to Peter.
Jesus’ words were wounds from a sincere friend.

It is hard when people challenge something about us, especially people that we love.
Our natural instinct is to protect ourselves from any and all wounds.
But wisdom suggests that we need to listen carefully to those who point out areas of growth or weakness.
Do not dismiss their words because they hurt; maybe God is trying to help us grow.
Not all words that people speak are helpful, but there is usually something true and helpful in the critique or rebuke of others – especially people close to us.
I am only responsible for what is true, and if there is truth in someone elses’ criticism – no matter how painful it is to hear it – I need to deal with that truth.

PRAYER:
Lord, keep my pride from closing my heart to helpful rebuke or insight into myself. Help me not to just listen to those that say nice things, but also to those who point out growth areas.