To Tell the Truth… Day 68 – True Friendship Part 4 – 6/19/20

“Iron sharpens iron; so a man sharpens the countenance of his friend.”
Proverbs 27:17

Our focus the last several days has been on true friendship. We have learned that a true friend is selfless not self-serving. They are interested more in being a blessing than being blessed. We have learned that a true friend is steadfast. They are not a fair-weather person. When the storms of life come into their friend’s life, even if brought on by their friend’s bad choices; they do not jump ship. They will not leave them nor forsake them; but will in honesty and love see them through the difficulties. Also, a true friend is sacrificial. True friendship is costly. It is an investment in your life. It has been said by many that we only need one mate and only a few true friends.

Lastly, a true friend is sanctifying. Solomon reminds us in the above verse of the impact other people have on our lives. A true friend is going to have an uplifting, sharpening influence on our life. A true friend is going to make you a better person. A true friend is going to put the cutting edge on your life. Now, while a true friend will never leave you or forsake you, a true friend will never condone wrongdoing. They will confront you in love. Solomon writes in Proverbs 27:6, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” Judas kissed the Lord, but it was the kiss of deceit. Someone wrote, “Judas kissed the door of heaven and went to hell.”

A true friend may compliment you, but will never flatter you. Hypocrisy and flattery are twins. A hypocrite will say behind your back what he will not say to your face. A flatterer will say to your face what he will not say behind your back. True friends love us enough to confront us. The test of true friendship is this: Are you a better person because of your friend? Or maybe we need to ask: Are they a better person because I am their selfless, steadfast, sacrificial, and sanctifying friend?

Preacher Stan