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Wounds from someone who loves you can be trusted, but the kisses of someone who hates you are too much.

Proverbs 27:6, EHV

It's great to receive compliments, but they can also be deceiving. Living in a world that has many centered on the mindset, “What have you done for me lately?” can make it easy to become clouded, and it can cause us to become haughty.  A true friend keeps us grounded and will offer constructive criticism. The thing about flatterers is that they are fair-weather and often like to be close to those who make them feel important and good. Constant flattery is meant to help keep the object of their flattery close and to build trust, but the moment there is a failure or things become less, they will betray and leave you dejected and hurt. Solomon knew the pain of this in his own life, and God placed it in his heart to write these words of warning. It is hard for us to listen to these words because we don’t like to be brought down all the time. We often tire of the Jiminy on our shoulder guiding us away from things and attempting to give us positive advice we are not ready to hear. This is why it is so important for us to foster healthy and positive friendships that build up rather than tear down. To seek to be less offendable and to be better friends, centering our lives in Christ and seeking His peace.

Let us pray. I thank you, my heavenly Father, through Jesus Christ, your dear Son, that you have kept me this night from all harm and danger, and I ask you to protect me this day also from sin and every evil, that in all I do today, I may please you. For into your hands, I commend myself, my body and soul, and all that is mine. Let your holy angel watch over me, that the wicked foe have no power over me. Amen.