October 13: SPEAKING IN LOVE

Earrings have arrived! More people are wearing earrings than ever before. Women have always had them. Now it is culturally acceptable for men. So, there are more and more “designer earrings” available, if you can afford to buy.
God has an earring on the market that we need to consider. In Proverbs 25:12 (NIV) it says, “Like an earring of gold or an ornament of fine gold is a wise man’s rebuke to a listening ear.” Decorate your ear with a wise man’s mouth. Now God has pointed out an accessory that we all need.
Most don’t take rebuke too well. We get defensive, or angry, or our feelings hurt. We don’t want to hear rebuke. None are perfect. None is above reproach. We need someone to love us enough to point out our mistakes.
If we don’t love someone, we can just let them go on in an offensive manner rather than telling them what they have done wrong. They may be blind to their actions (I doubt it!) because no one has ever cared enough to correct them.
In Proverbs 27:6 (NIV) God says, “words from a friend can be trusted.” “Speaking the truth in love” (Ephesians 4:15) is our self-test to be sure that our motivation is healing, not hurting. “If your brother sins against you, go and show him his fault, just between the two of you. If he listens to you, you have won your brother over.” (Matthew 18:15 NIV)
What a pity to let a brother or sister act unwisely or offensively and not rebuke them in a loving manner. Lest you be the self-appointed rebuker of friends, ask yourself how you would respond to this kind of rebuking. Would you thank God for such a good friend?
Do you have a trusted friend or prayer partner that you could ask or give permission to be your new earring?

“Lord, help us to always speak the truth in a spirit of love that we might help
our brothers and sisters correct their words or deeds done offensively. Amen”