Who Is Your Real Friend?

I enjoy watching Star Wars Movies. I think a cool plot line to the story is how Anakin Skywalker (who becomes Darth Vader) doesn't like Obi-wan's criticism and ends up thinking he is his enemy. On the other hand, Palpatine was so kind to Anakin but was really Anakin's enemy. Sometimes we get confused over who our real friends are. Sometimes our greatest friends are not kind. Sometimes our greatest foe is the person who is acts the kindest to us. Don't give into the emotions of the darkside! Don't evaluate friendship by how people made you feel. Look deeper.

Proverbs 27:3-6 says, "Stone is heavy and sand a burden, but provocation by a fool is heavier than both. Anger is cruel and fury overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy? Better is open rebuke than hidden love. Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses."

Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me. I wish that was true. Sometimes the words of a fool are heavy and hurtful. They can be a burden. They can weigh us down. Words can sometimes hurt but as we deal with that hurt, we need to keep prospective.

Sometimes we need to be hurt by words. Sometimes we need an open rebuke. An open confrontation of our problems by others is better than someone who sees our problems but keeps his concern to himself out of fear. When a friend says something that hurts, it's for our good and we can trust it. What we should really fear is when someone who is not our friend starts pouring on the complements. Watch out. They want something. They don't call it "kissing up" for nothing. When kisses are multiplied and when there is excessive kissing up, watch out. They are playing you to get something.

Sometimes painful words are wonderful gifts and kisses are a betrayal. Jesus was not betrayed with criticism or wounded with words. Jesus was betrayed with a kiss.

Submit a Bible Question to scripturist@hotmail.com