Test of a True Friend

EXODUS:

18:14 And when Moses’ father in law saw all that he did to the people, he said, What is this thing that thou doest to the people? why sittest thou thyself alone, and all the people stand by thee from morning unto even?

18:17 And Moses’ father in law said unto him, The thing that thou doest is not good.

Have you ever wondered how you can tell a true friend, from one who is not? Moses’ father in law was a true friend of Moses. He saw that Moses was overwhelmed in his work and would eventually collapse in a heap of exhaustion. So Moses’ Father in law told Moses the truth.

Now let me say just because you tell someone the truth is not necessary the sign of a true friend. There are motives and approaches to consider. Antisthenes, the cynic philosopher, used to say, “There are two people who will tell you the truth about yourself, an enemy who has lost his temper and a friend who loves you dearly.”

Let us look at the enemy who has lost his temper. We have a bad habit when we get angry with someone to spout off hateful hurtful things to people. We have wrong motives when we do this. Even if what we say is the truth, if the motive is wrong it is better not to say it in the heat of the moment. If we really care about someone we will first go to our knees and ask GOD’s guidance and wisdom on what we believe we need to tell a person. Bringing up a persons past is not the right thing to do. We must only deal with the present and give the future to GOD.

I have been told many things both true and out right lies. I have noticed the one thing about me, that when a friend comes to me in love, with the right motive and the right approach, and tells me the truth about something I do not want to deal with, I accept it. Yes, don’t get me wrong, at first I may fly off the handle get mad at my friend. What kind of friend are you to tell me something like that. HOW DARE YOU! Then I calm down and start thinking and praying and that is when I realize, WOW, what a true friend and I go to that friend, ask forgiveness and thank him for telling me the truth. The truth hurts a lot of the time but must be the approach. However truth without love and compassion, can cause irreparable damage.

PROVERBS:

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

I really believe that many people use this as a way to get at people and say, I am just telling the truth. The truth hurts. Well if that is all you are telling them the truth for, than you might as well beat them with a club.

People strut up and down like the pharisees of old spitting out venom they call the truth, when in fact, it is only what they call the truth and not true at all. Watch out for these people. They are out to prove themselves right and everyone else wrong. Anyone that gets in their way they set out to destroy utterly.

When a true friend comes to you in love and concern, and you know it to be the truth, no matter how much it hurts, listen to that friend. Go to that friend and thank that friend for telling you the truth.