Friendships are one of life’s greatest treasures. They uplift us, provide companionship, and offer support through thick and thin. But there’s something even deeper that adds richness to true friendship, honest, heartfelt advice. Proverbs 27:9 says, “Oil and perfume make the heart glad, and the sweetness of a friend comes from his earnest counsel.” This verse highlights how genuine, loving advice from a friend can bring more lasting joy than material comforts.
Why Earnest Counsel Matters
In today’s world, we often hear advice like “Do what makes you happy” or “Follow your heart.” While these sentiments are well-meaning, they don’t always provide the guidance we need. True friends, on the other hand, are willing to offer wisdom that helps us grow, even if it’s not what we want to hear.
Just like a sweet-smelling perfume can refresh your mood, honest advice from a friend can refresh your spirit. It helps us see life from a new perspective, offering clarity when we feel stuck.
Friendship and God’s Design
God designed friendships to be a source of joy and spiritual growth. When a friend offers wise counsel, it’s not just their own wisdom at work. God often uses our friends to speak into our lives, providing guidance we might not otherwise receive. Proverbs 15:22 reminds us, “Plans fail for lack of counsel, but with many advisers they succeed.”
Just as oil soothes and perfume lifts the spirit, a friend’s advice can soothe our worries and lift our hearts. This is the beauty of friendship, it reflects God’s love and care for us.
Earnest Advice vs. Flattery
It’s easy to give flattery or shallow compliments, but true friends go deeper. Honest advice is rooted in love, not in the desire to make someone feel good in the moment. Proverbs 27:6 tells us, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” This means a true friend cares enough to offer correction when needed, rather than just saying what we want to hear.
Think of a time when a friend gave you honest advice, even if it was difficult to hear. That moment likely led to personal growth and better decisions. It’s in those times that we realize the sweetness of a friend’s counsel is more valuable than empty compliments.
How This Points to Jesus
Jesus Himself is our greatest friend. In John 15:15, He says, “I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my Father I have made known to you.” Jesus gives us the ultimate form of earnest counsel, truth that leads to eternal life. Just as a friend offers advice to guide us, Jesus offers His wisdom and guidance to lead us on the right path.
When we build friendships based on love and truth, we reflect the friendship that Jesus offers to us. He laid down His life for us, showing us the depth of what true friendship looks like.
Practical Steps for Building Joyful Friendships
- Seek Godly Counsel: Surround yourself with friends who are willing to give you honest advice, not just tell you what you want to hear. Proverbs 27:17 says, “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” Find those who sharpen you spiritually and emotionally.
- Be a Friend Who Speaks Truth: Don’t shy away from giving heartfelt advice. Offer wisdom and guidance rooted in love and prayer. Your words can refresh someone’s spirit just like perfume refreshes the body.
Conclusion
The sweetness of friendship lies not just in shared experiences but in the earnest counsel that friends provide. Just like oil and perfume bring joy to our senses, honest advice brings joy to our hearts. As you nurture your friendships, remember the importance of speaking truth and receiving wise counsel. It will deepen your relationships and lead to lasting joy.
Looking to strengthen your friendships? Share this post with someone you appreciate, and remind them how their advice has impacted your life!
Prayer: Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of friendship and for those who counsel us in truth and love. Help me to seek and nurture relationships that honor You. Give me wisdom to be a friend who speaks earnestly and loves deeply. May Your Holy Spirit guide my words so that they bring joy, comfort, and clarity to those around me. Above all, thank You for being my truest friend, offering the sweetest counsel through Your Word. Help me to reflect Your love in all my relationships. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
This was so beautiful. Very informative. It expressed the truest of friendship. We need each other and we definitely need Christ. If we get wise counsel from a friend, it will direct us to dig deeper into a relationship with Christ.
This was so beautiful. Very informative. It expressed the truest of friendship. We need each other and we definitely need Christ. If we get wise counsel from a friend, it will direct us to dig deeper into a relationship with Christ.
Well done Pip! There’s much truth & wisdom here.