"A true friend stabs you in the front." ~Oscar Wilde
Proverbs 27:6: "Wounds from a sincere friend are better than many kisses from an enemy."
The world’s emphasis on self-esteem gives people an appetite for undeserved praise.
But a steady diet of undeserved affirmation makes us lazy, proud, and resistant to constructive criticism.
Eventually, we surround ourselves with “fans” instead of friends.
Unfortunately, if we're not willing to listen to advice, we'll never grow wiser and stronger in the Lord. We'll simply become self-deceived.
Proverbs 19:20: "Listen to advice and accept discipline, and at the end you will be counted among the wise."
Proverbs 12:15: "The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice."
Proverbs 1:8: "Listen, my son, to your father's instruction and do not forsake your mother's teaching."
True friends, good parents, and godly pastors challenge and correct us.
We need genuine friends, not fans.
-----------------
Two more 1-minute devotions about this subject:
Friends & Peer Mentors
Prayer Partners
Good parents indeed.
ReplyDelete