October 23

Proverbs 27:5 says something that is on its face rather confusing. Here the wisest man who ever lived, Solomon, says, “Open rebuke is better than love that is hidden.” What have these polar opposite entities to do with each other and how can the one we perceive as being negative ever be preferred to the one that we perceive as being excellent?

Essentially, Solomon is telling his reader that harboring any feeling deep within yourself is not good. If you feel anger or feel the necessity to challenge or ‘rebuke’ someone for a perceived wrong, be open about your feeling. Don’t let it stew within you, building up resentment for a future day of uncontrollable wrath!

For, surely, if you allow such negativity to fester within you, it will only worsen with time. Every perceived slight, every word spoken out of turn will gnaw at you. It is far better to state your concern openly and rationally than to allow it to darken your spirit or your attitude toward another individual.

Hidden love isn’t much better. Christ demonstrated His love for us openly. Should we not be likewise quick to embrace our fellow sojourners to our hearts with a love that is appropriate to the relationship? The Word tells us we should love even strangers, for some just might be angels in disguise! (Hebrews 13:2)