Speaking honestly
Proverbs 24:26 in The Passion Translation says “Speaking honestly is a
sign of true friendship.” The NKJV “He who gives a right answer kisses
the lips”; or ‘an honest answer is like a kiss on the lips.’ In that culture,
kissing was a sign of authentic friendship and a mark of relationship.
I find this scripture both challenging and refreshing. Elsewhere we are
exhorted to ‘speak the truth in love’. The challenge is to be able to tell a
friend the truth in such a way that they can receive it without being
offended, because Proverbs 18:19a “an offended friend is harder to win
back than a fortified city.”

One friend used to talk about ‘relationship risks’, and I believe this is why
we need Godly wisdom in all our dealings with people, particularly
friends and family. James 3:16-17 explains the attributes of Godly
wisdom. It is “first pure, then peaceable , gentle, willing to yield, full of
mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy” – sown in
peace by those who make peace.
When we need to address an issue with a friend, let’s consider in our
hearts the attributes of wisdom mentioned above, and approach the
conversation in an attitude of gentleness.
Love is the key in everything we do, and Jesus, our Lord and Friend, is

the Source of Love. As we continue to abide in Him, Holy Spirit is with
us to give us the right words to speak and help us in understanding each
other, and bring comfort and encouragement.

Shalom

Kath