The Wounds of a Friend and the Kisses of an Enemy

Proverbs 27:6 — “Faithful are the wounds of a friend; but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful.”

At first glance, wounds and friendship seem like opposites. But Solomon reminds us that sometimes the truest expression of love is painful honesty. A friend who cares enough to confront us may wound our pride, but he preserves our soul.

Flattery may feel pleasant, but it is dangerous when it comes from someone who does not seek our good. Enemies offer kisses—words of affirmation or approval—that hide deception. Their aim is not our growth but our downfall.

True wisdom learns to value the wounds of a faithful friend above the empty compliments of those who do not love us. Correction, though uncomfortable, is evidence of loyalty. It shows that someone cares enough to risk our displeasure for the sake of our good.

The challenge for us is twofold: to receive correction with humility and to give it with grace. Pride resists rebuke, but wisdom embraces it. At the same time, offering correction must be done in love, not arrogance. The faithful friend speaks truth with gentleness, seeking restoration, not humiliation.

Christ Himself models this perfectly. He speaks hard truths to us, wounding to heal, convicting to restore. His faithful words lead us to life. In Him, we learn the beauty of faithful wounds and the danger of deceitful kisses.