Proverbs 27:6 “Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.”
Honest, constructive feedback from a person who cares about me and wants to help me grow is a valuable gift, no matter how difficult it may be to hear. I dare not ignore it or refuse to truly understand it. What a loss if I immediately start to defend myself. A friend who cares enough to risk the friendship is seeking to get through to me in a way few others can. But an enemy may use flattery to entice me to lower my defenses or to ignore my sense of discernment. Flattery can go to my head and lead me into foolish choices that only end in harm – exactly what the enemy intended all along.
Father, tune my ears to you and to those friends who know your Word and desire to help me. And please give me the courage and boldness to speak the truth in love to the benefit of my friends.