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Sharpening involves friction. Proverbs assumes that real friends will say the thing that costs something, and the next chapter of wisdom literature adds that open rebuke is better than hidden love. Biblical friendship is loyal, honest, and willing to be uncomfortable.
A prayer from this passage
Lord, give me friends who will tell me the truth, and make me that kind of friend. Keep me from flattery and from cowardice. Thank You that Christ calls His followers friends.
Key truth
Biblical friendship is loyal and honest enough to sharpen, not merely to flatter.
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Daily reading · Wisdom: Proverbs in 31 Days · Friendship
A friend loves at all times, the chapter says, and true friendship is marked by covering an offense rather than repeating it to others. Loyalty that only shows up when it is convenient was never real loyalty in the first place.
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