Proverbs 27:6 says: “Wounds from a friend can be trusted…”

But what in the world does that mean?

It means that true friends are in a unique position of trust in our lives. They care about us (and we care about them). Because of that, they can be honest.

Although we tend to like honesty, it can also be hard to hear sometimes. For example, if a friend says you’re being unfair, dishonest, or selfish, it can feel like a “wound”—it can hurt, even if it’s true.

But one of the things Proverbs 27:6 teaches us is that these honest words from our friends—even though they can seem painful at first—can be trusted because they come from a place of love and care.

So…

Listen to the words of a trusted friend, even if they might seem like criticism at first.

Sometimes it can be easy to dismiss what a friend says to you just because it’s something you don’t want to hear. But what if it was said out of love? What if your friend just wanted to bring something important to your attention? What if they just wanted the best for you, even if it was kind of awkward?

It’s better to trust a friend who tells you what you need to hear, than a “friend” who just tells you what you want to hear.

“Wounds from a friend can be trusted.”

By Matthew Ruttan