Rebuking – Proverbs 27:5-7

People in power have a problem.  No one wants to tell them they are doing something wrong.  Of course, they might foment this problem because they punish those who dare to speak correction.  But this is utter foolishness.  People need rebuke to succeed.

Better is open rebuke than hidden love.  Faithful are the wounds of a friend; profuse are the kisses of an enemy. (Proverbs 27:5–6, ESV)

You might think that verse 5 is saying it is better to have someone communicate even an awful rebuke than to have only their silence, even if that silence hides a loving heart towards you.  But verse 6 helps us understand that for the wise person a loving rebuke is welcomed and needed.

We each of us needs to be “wounded” by rebuke in order to grow.  We grow when we see our sin and, when it is exposed, find in God’s grace our forgiveness and instruction for how to live righteously.  If I love you I will want to see you grow in that way.  I won’t hide my rebuke from you because I love you but will rather wound you.

An enemy will initially act as if they love us and multiply kisses.  That doesn’t help me.  I don’t need flatterers around me, I need people, friends, who will help me be a better person.  Are you loving your friends?