You Are the Man (Proverbs 27:5-6)

Lived, not just studied

DeWayne picked Proverbs 27:5-6 because he and his wife had needed to have several hard conversations in recent weeks. "Better is open rebuke than hidden love."

Hidden love

Can you love someone and never say the hard thing? DeWayne thinks so. Fear or discomfort can keep loving people quiet. Flattery is cheap and wins friends fast. A faithful wound costs the friend something.

Nathan and David

After David's sin with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband, the prophet Nathan told him a story about a rich man who stole a poor man's lamb. David demanded justice, and Nathan said, "You are the man." That took courage and love.

Weigh it

Not every correction comes from love. Check it against Scripture and consider the heart behind it. One participant warned that pride can sit on either side, in the person rebuking from a soapbox or in the person refusing to hear. Another praised DeWayne for walking this out that same morning with real people at work, not just teaching it.

Try this

• Read Proverbs 27 through verse 17 ("iron sharpens iron").
• Thank someone who once told you a hard truth.