Rev. Don Campbell
Friends Don’t Let Friends Lie to Themselves
David said, “Let a righteous man strike me—that is a kindness; let him rebuke me—that is oil on my head. My head will not refuse it, for my prayer will still be against the deeds of evildoers” (Psa 141:5).
Years later, David’s son would write: “Open rebuke is better than hidden love. Wounds inflicted by the correction of a friend prove he is faithful; the abundant kisses of an enemy show his lies” (Prov 27:5-7).
The phrase “Don’t believe your own press releases” was originally applied to movie stars whose agents were paid to portray them in a favorable light in the press. When the stars begin to believe their press releases, they fall victim to the greatest of all deceptions —self-deception.
The truth about ourselves is painful, but it is the truth that sets us free, so friends don’t let friends lie to themselves.
