Life Coach Wisdom from the Proverbs

“Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

--Proverbs 27:6

Wounds from a friend can come about several ways. The friend can be trying to show us something that we are blind to, trying to protect us, but may have to wound us to get our attention. It brings to mind the old gag of hitting someone with a 2 x 4 across the forehead to get their attention. When that happens it is well to consider what they are trying to say to us, knowing that a faithful friend has our best interest at heart.

Or a friend may wound us inadvertently just out of their own ineptness, lack of maturity, or insensitivity. But because we love them, we can forgive them and dismiss the injury, allowing it to heal quickly.

On occasion we may get offended by a friend because we have different expectations of them than what they are able to do. We need to understand their limitations and be merciful. Occasionally, we may make a mistake and justify it by saying “I meant well.” Just as we want the mercy, forgiveness, and understanding of others, we need to be quick to give that gift to others as well.

The kisses of an enemy are full of deceit and betrayal. Sometimes an enemy comes with flattery that can feel like kisses. We need to heed the warning in this proverb and not be swayed by their deceptive ways.

Seek to accept a faithful friend and not be deceived by an enemy.