5) Open rebuke is better than secret love. 6) Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.
Open rebuke, put together, these two words speak for themselves. In other words, there are times when something needs to be said to someone who is about to do something wrong, or about to make a big mistake of some kind. Just as there are times when a parent needs to say something to a child, some people need some correction in a matter.
Secret love is when a person says nothing because they believe it's not their place. They take the stand that it is none or their business and whatever happens, happens. They are not going to get involved. They may harbor thoughts that their friend is not doing the right thing, but they stay silent anyway.
Faithful are the wounds of a friend means that sometimes in the course of corrective action, there are some hurt feelings that could be interpreted as wounds. This scripture states that these kinds of wounds are faithful, because they are not malicious and they will in time heal. They are the kind of wounds that help save the other person from doing something which could cause great harm to him/herself, if left unchecked.
True friends will help their friends in these kinds of instances. They will say something because they do not want to see their friends suffer more greatly in the future, as a result of something that can be prevented now.
Enemies kiss deceitfully, because they care nothing for others. I have to question those who put their approval on something stupid, so as not to lose their friendship or because they secretly want to see a (so-called) friend screw up.
Saying something does not come without risk. It may come down to a loss of friendship. But we must ask ourselves, is that friendship worth a compromising of our principles?
13 comments:
LA that is an excellent post. Very thoughtfully interpreted. I would much rather a friend tell me the truth and open his or her mouth to point out a fault or a wrong direction in which I am heading rather than to sit idlely by and say nothing.
You outlined what true friendship is as well as a true enemy. Jealousy is a nasty deceit that makes your fourth point.
We must hold on to our principles and not let anything tear them from our hands. Nice reflection today!
~Leslie
Enemies kiss deceitfully, because they care nothing for others. I have to question those who put their approval on something stupid, so as not to lose their friendship or because they secretly want to see a (so-called) friend screw up.
Why did France pop into my mind?
This is why I value Sunset's friendship. I can always depend on him telling me the truth, even when he does it gleefully and with buckets of sarcasm.
It isn't until you've already lived most of your life that you realize that the number of your true friends form a single-digit, everyone else is just someone you know. A true friend is standing besdie you, through good and bad. This is the kind of person Sunset it. I consider it one of God's blessing to know him; to be able to call him my friend.
Even if he is a bastard.
Hi Mustang
"A true friend is standing besdie you, through good and bad. This is the kind of person Sunset it. "
You were so moved by your emotions when talking about LA that your English failed you! LOL
Thanks, Rocket. No one ever accused me of having any command of the English language, however. Besides, I suffer from sundowner's syndrome. If you don't believe me, just ask whatshisname ... the guy who owns this blog.
:-)
"faithful are the wounds of a friend"...it takes a really self assured friend to accept the wounds are meant in the right spirit.
Thanks for this, LA...mustang's right; a real friend is a rarity.
Besdie that, you're both good guys and it's great to read all your comments to each other!
LA, it's funny you should post this today, when it has extra meaning for me. I've been screwing up a lot lately, big time. My friend told me things straight on Friday. She didn't sugar coat it, and it hurt plenty. Maybe I needed it, though.
Thank you Leslie, glad you enjoyed reading it.
//Why did France pop into my mind?//
I think Freud called it Free Association.
//I consider it one of God's blessing to know him; to be able to call him my friend.//
Ditto.
//Even if he is a bastard.//
Ditto.
//Besides, I suffer from sundowner's syndrome. //
Either that or he had been to the VFW.
//Besdie that, you're both good guys and it's great to read all your comments to each other!//
BESDIE? Had you been to the VFW with Mustang?
Seriously Z, thanks for your kind words.
//I've been screwing up a lot lately, big time.//
It's easy for me to say, but the first thing for you to do is stop screwing up. After that, you can repair whatever damage has been incurred, if it's able to be repaired.
But the first step is to stop.
Hang in their buddy.
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