A Friend: Is Honest with You

08 / Sun – Read Mark 14:30 (New Living Translation)

Overview: Jesus is kind and loving, but he is also honest. He has the hard conversations and speaks the truth in love. We are called to do the same. Because that’s what friends do.

09 / Mon – Trusted friends  |  Read Proverbs 27:6 (King James Version)

Did your parents say things like…”I’m doing this for your own good”? They were not being mean. They loved you and wanted your best, so they were honest about the real state of things. God is the same way. When we aren’t listening to Him, He doesn’t give up. Often, the Holy Spirit will speak through a friend who cares enough to be honest. Although you might be offended, will you pause and ask the Lord if they are speaking the truth? Thank Him for giving you those kinds of friends.

10 / Tue – Telling the truth  |  Read 2 Sam 12:1-13 / Psalm 51:1-4, 10-12, 16-17

Telling the truth to someone who might not want to hear it takes courage. God sent the prophet Nathan to King David with a direct message because David had willfully sinned, then tried to hide it. What was David’s response? Have you been in Nathan’s position? Are you feeling prompted now to be honest with someone, but are afraid to do so? It is wise to be cautious. Make sure it’s something God wants you to do, and then ask for His help to speak so that the person understands you do it out of love and will listen to what the Lord is saying to them.

11 / Wed – Be considerate and gentle  |  Read Galatians 6:1 / 2 Timothy 2:25-26

How you say something is just as important as what you say. Examine your motives. What is the outcome you are looking for? Consider how you would want someone else to approach you with something that might be difficult to hear. Put in a lot of prayer and consideration. Wait for the Holy Spirit to show you the right time. When you ask, He will guide your words and the way you speak. Then withdraw. Let the Holy Spirit do His work and trust Him for the result.

12 / Thu – Get sharp  |  Read Proverbs 27:17

Have you ever watched someone sharpen a tool or done it yourself? If so, you understand this proverb. How does it work in healthy friendships? Do you have someone who sharpens you by challenging you to be better? Is there someone who allows you to do the same for them? If you don’t have anyone like that in your life right now, ask the Holy Spirit to be your sharpener. He will use life experiences and the scriptures you read and ponder to sharpen your understanding. What things have you learned from others in the past? What are the things you’d like to pass on?

13 / Fri – Conviction  |  Read John 16:7-11 (New King James Version)

The Holy Spirit doesn’t condemn. He convicts. In the court system, a conviction is proof that a person is guilty, and the judge hands down a sentence to be served. That is not how the Lord works with us. His goal is that we see our sin and agree that we are guilty, but repent (turn around). His response is to extend mercy and second chances. Nothing can be resolved when we refuse to recognize our wrong attitudes, words, or actions. Aren’t you glad the Lord doesn’t let us get away with things? That He is honest with us? That’s because He has our best interests at heart.

14 / Sat – False guilt  |  Read 1 John 3:19-21

The devil loves to heap condemnation on you. Sometimes there is truth in his accusations, but not always. Don’t ignore those thoughts or feelings. Instead, bring them to the Lord. He’ll reveal whether it is false guilt that you need to reject and banish from your mind or if it’s something you need to deal with. Jesus is a friend who will be honest with you. Will you be honest with Him? That is the path to true peace. Pass this along to someone God points out to you who needs to hear this truth.