Real Love or Enemy Tactics

Originally published on https://thelife.com/devotionals/real-love-or-enemy-tactics June 7, 2025Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.- Proverbs 27:6 (NLT)“Ouch!” That stung. My friend had just courageously told me about something I had been doing which had been offending her and others. While I didn’t enjoy hearing it, I knew she loved me and wanted to help me. Our verse for today reminds us that, “Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy.”On the other hand, sometimes we are the ones who need to confront a friend who is edging too near a path to destruction. Will we say the hard thing, or will we avoid conflict because we “love” them? Real love tells the truth. Yes, you are uneasy with confrontation, but pretending everything is fine, just to keep the peace is evil. It is the work of an enemy, not a friend. You say you love them too much to talk to them about what you observe. In reality, you only love yourself, not them.The enemy of our souls wants to destroy us, so he relishes it when we cooperate with him to hide the hard truth from our friend. Remember how Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss?Put yourself in your friend’s shoes. Would you want to hear the truth if it were you? Although it may sting, the golden rule of Jesus Christ applies here: Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. (Matthew 7:12a)To make it easier, there are two key things to remember. First, pray about your friend and their situation. God will guide you as to what to say. Second, be filled with the Holy Spirit’s love in your heart for them when you approach them gently at a good time.Dear Lord Jesus, I need a friend who is willing to tell me the truth. Help me to be that kind of friend to others.Ask Yourself Do I have the kind of friendship that my heart needs? Ask the Lord Jesus to provide you with a great friend. Also ask him to make you a great friend to others.Thanks for reading Perfect King's Imperfect Princess! Subscribe for free to receive new posts and be encouraged.Additional Resource: Some of the concepts in this devotion came from Tim Keller’s sermon on friendship. https://youtu.be/8Tc4VIQrXdE?feature=shared This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit sheyvahrex.substack.com