Read Pr. 27: 5-7
These are verses of opposites and comparisons. First it is comparing open rebuke to secret love. If God chastens those he loves then we can understand that a rebuke can be a good thing if we take it to heart and not get offended. On the other hand, secret love is suppose to be worse. If you love someone you should let it out. We were made to be creatures of love and emotion. The greatest commandment is to love God and people the same. So it is wrong to love someone and keep it hidden. (Of course, we are talking about agape love, God's love not romantic love. Sometimes that needs to be squelched or hidden.)
The second verse says that the wounds a true friend gives you can help you become the person you are suppose to be. They are given to you from a heart of love and are for your benefit. But the kisses and flattery of an enemy is deceitful and not for your benefit. It is interesting how if God rebukes you for something, the Devil will always come to console you with his deceptive show of love and concern.
The last verse says that if you have just eaten a huge supper you won't have room for your favorite dessert. But if you are starved you'll eat anything. The same is true in the spirit. If you feast from God's word and are filled with the truth, then the lies, no matter how good they look will not deceive you because you are filled with the truth. But if you are searching for truth and look for it in places other than the Bible you will fall for their lies because you have no knowledge of the truth to compare it with.
Lord, thank you for the fulness of your Word. It satisfies our soul and gives us discernment against the lies of the enemy.
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