Proverbs 27:9 “Ointment and perfume rejoice the heart: so doth the sweetness of a man's friend by hearty counsel.”
“Here is a charge given to be faithful and constant to our friends, our old friends, to keep up an intimacy with them, and to be ready to do them all the offices that lie in our power. It is good to have a friend, a bosom-friend, whom we can be free with, and with whom we may communicate counsels.
The sweetness of friendship lies not in hearty mirth, and hearty laughter, but in hearty counsel, faithful advice, sincerely given and without flattery, by counsel of the soul (so the word is), counsel which reaches the case, and comes to the heart, counsel about soul-concerns…” -Matthew Henry
Proverbs 27:17 “Iron sharpeneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”
“Wise and profitable discourse sharpens men’s wits; and those that have ever so much knowledge may by conference have something added to them. It sharpens men’s looks, and, by cheering the spirits, puts a briskness and liveliness into the countenance, and gives a man such an air as shows he is pleased himself and makes him pleasing to those about him.“ -Matthew Henry
This past weekend, I was blessed to spend time with such a friend – a lifetime friend of many years. Knowing her desire to please the Lord with her life, I can share my heart with her and welcome her counsel. It did my heart good to converse with such a friend.
Are we bringing sweetness to our friends with our counsel? Are we sharpening them – helping them be better?
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