Thoughts

Wounds from a friend can be trusted, but an enemy multiplies kisses.Proverbs 27:6 NIV

Perfume and incense bring joy to the heart, and the pleasantness of a friend springs from their heartfelt advice.Proverbs 27:9 NIV

As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.Proverbs 27:17 NIV

A Good Friend Is More Precious Than A Rare Jewel

I like that Solomon spent some time giving counsel to his son about the importance of good friends. Like a rare jewel, truly good friends are hard to find. But when you find them, they are much more valuable than jewels. More than bringing fellowship and good times, they can help you through the difficult times. They can help to make you a better person. And sometimes, God can use them to speak His words into your life. I consider myself truly blessed, because I have two such friends in my life. One of them has been a part if my life since I was about 10 years old, the other I met when we were in junior high school. There is no one alive today that I have known longer. I treasure them. And I would do anything for them. And they would do the same for me.

So let's look a three of these verses that deal with friendship.

Verse six: A true friend is one who is willing to risk hurting us if it means that we will be better for the correction. An enemy's kisses are lies. Judas betrayed Jesus with a kiss.

Verse 9: This is sort of a partner to verse six. When a friend offers kind words of advice from a heart of love, it is as pleasant as a good perfume.

Verse 17: This is the opposite side of the friendship coin. Verse 9 talked about the kind words of advice being as pleasant as a good perfume. When iron sharpens iron, there is grinding on the wheel, heavy hammers striking the iron, and always, sparks fly. The iron being sharpened goes through a bit of stress, pounding and abrasion. If the iron could feel, there would be pain involved. But the end product is better, and more useful. When a friend sharpens a friend, it can be a difficult process for one or both of them, but in the end, both can be better off.

Today's Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today's episode: Ch. 26-27 NIV

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