What is it in your relationships that you're
pretending isn't a problem? What is it
in your relationship with your children, your husband, your wife, your friends
that you're saying this isn't really an issue and you keep sweeping it under
the carpet? That is not the kind
thing. The truth is to level with a
person and say, “This isn't right.”
A real friend tells you when you're making a
mistake. A real friend tells you when
you've got spinach in your teeth. A real
friend says, "I'm not going to stand by in silence and watch you make the
stupidest decision of your life. Don't
do it." A real friend walks in when
other people walk out. It's kind to be
honest with people because it's the loving thing to tell the truth.
A survey recently discovered that the number one
thing people want in a friend is honesty.
A real friend will tell you when you're blowing it.
Proverbs
24:26 (TEV), "An honest answer
is the sign of a true friendship."
A real friend tells you when you're making a
mistake. A real friend tells you when
you've got spinach in your teeth. A real
friend says, "I'm not going to stand by in silence and watch you make the
stupidest decision of your life. Don't
do it." A real friend walks in when
other people walk out. It's kind to be
honest with people because it's the loving thing to tell the truth.
Sometimes we need to hear the truth even when it's
painful. If you're dying with cancer and
go see the doctor, what do you want him to say, "You must have surgery
right now or you'll die" or "Don't worry, be happy"? You want him to tell you the truth even if
it's painful. That's the kind thing to
do.
Jesus understands your weaknesses so He doesn't blow
you away, but He loves you more than just understanding. He'll also tell you the truth on how you can
change.
Psalm 141:5 (TEV), "A good people may rebuke
me in kindness." It says,
"in kindness".
What does it mean to rebuke in kindness? What's the difference between critical rebuke
and kind rebuke? The difference is
motive. When you rebuke somebody,
confronting a person, are you doing it to put them down or to build them
up? Are you doing it for their benefit
or your own? To condemn them or to
protect them?
As parents, we have to learn how to affirm the child
while correcting the behavior. There's a
balance there. So you rebuke in
kindness. You speak the truth in
love. You don't beat around the bush,
but you do it in a loving way. That's
kindness. Affirm the person and correct
the behavior.
Just a thought from the front porch…
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