A Wise Friend Speaks the Truth

Proverbs 25:12
“Like a gold ring or an ornament of gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.”

When a friend who is compassionate, he or she knows how to warn their friends who have wondered off the paths of righteousness. He or she is discreet and prudent. They choose the right words, at the right time in the right location. They are neither harsh but they also will not be too lenient. They approach their friend with humility and affection, wanting the best for the listener.

Nathan the prophet had to approach David the king as a wise reprover, because David had greatly sinned. Nathan used a sad and provoking story of cruel oppression by a rich man over a poor man. David trusted Nathan explicitly and listened intently to his story.

When David became angry at the outcome of the story, Nathan told David the story was, in effect, him and Uriah, Bethsheba’s husband that he had killed in battle. Nathan was “a wise reprover,” David was “a listening ear,” and David accepted what Nathan had to say and repented of his sins.

Prayer:
Lord, the hardest part of this proverb is finding the wise reprover and the willing listening ear. Give us wisdom, humility to warn someone, using the right words, Your words. Give us a receptive spirit to really listen with humility. In Your name Lord, Amen!