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Today's Devotional

Open rebuke is better than secret love. Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful— 27:5, 6.

Interpretation.—Honest, outspoken rebuke, whether from friend or foe, is more profitable to its recipient, than “love that is hidden” (Leviticus 19:18). Wounds inflicted out of a loving sense of duty, though they cause pain, are a proof of sincere friendship. Whereas, the kisses of an enemy hide treachery.

Illustrations.—How much better was Nathan’s open rebuke of David, wounding him to the core though it did (Psalm 51), than David’s thoughtless love for Adonijah, which never corrected the boy (1 Kings 1:6). Paul, in withstanding Peter to the face (Galatians 2:11), and in boldly rebuking vice among the Corinthian converts, gave a proof of faithful love (2 Corinthians 1:4). But Joab’s kiss concealed a dagger (2 Samuel 20:9) and Judas kissed the noble friend whom, in the same breath, he gave over to his deadly foes  (Matthew 26:49).

Application.—To speak the truth in love is an office of friendship, but oh, how difficult!—partly because we are afraid of hurting ourselves; partly because so few friends are willing to be hurt, but resent honest words, even when they know they are spoken for their good. To allow by our silence a sin on the part of a friend is to incur a criminal responsibility. For we are guilty of evil we might have hindered. I must speak out at the risk of giving offence rather than let my friend do wrong blindly. A strong medicine is better than none. The surgeon’s care is to cure, not to please. Flattery is the love of an enemy. Thus God chastens while the world caresses; but in which lies love?

About the author and the source

While vicar of St. James’s Parish, Tunbridge Wells, Rev. Christopher Ridley Pearson wrote on Solomon’s proverbs, selecting one for each day of the year to spotlight its truths and suggest applications. Today’s devotional is condensed from one of those. A member of the Anglo-Catholic movement in the Church of England, Pearson was known for his outreach to the lower classes and was controversial for restoring some Catholic forms of worship to his parish.