Day 27 – The Gift of Honest Love
Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. Proverbs 27:6
Devotional Reflection
It stings when truth is spoken to your face. It’s uncomfortable, sometimes humiliating, even painful. But Solomon calls it a faithful wound. Why? Because love that refuses to speak truth is not love it’s flattery masquerading as affection.
Consider Nathan confronting David after his sin with Bathsheba. Everyone else might have whispered, “Don’t make him uncomfortable,” but Nathan stepped in boldly, delivering a message David needed to hear. It hurt, it burned, but it was faithful. That wound became the doorway to repentance, restoration, and God’s mercy.
Contrast this with the “kisses of an enemy.” Flattery, approval, and false praise feel good in the moment, but they mask danger. Enemies often agree with your comfort zone while undermining your character or leading you astray. The soft words can be more lethal than the harsh ones.
Psychologically, humans crave comfort and affirmation. But growth, character, and spiritual maturity come from the courage to face honest feedback. Avoiding the truth keeps you small, insecure, and unprepared for the seasons God has planned.
The hook: Real friends may hurt you temporarily; fake friends make you comfortable while leaving you vulnerable long-term. True love is rarely painless but it is faithful, protective, and eternal in its impact.
Application
- Evaluate your inner circle: who will speak truth even when it stings?
- Ask God for discernment: Where am I mistaking flattery for friendship?
- Practice giving faithful wounds yourself lovingly correct a friend, family member, or teammate in a Spirit-led way today.
Prayer: Father, give me a heart that both receives and delivers truth in love. Teach me to value faithful correction over shallow praise, and to see honesty as an expression of Your wisdom and care. Let me walk in courage, humility, and discernment. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Faithful wounds protect; flattering kisses deceive.
Love that comforts at the expense of truth is not love it’s compromise.