Is There Lettuce in Your Teeth?

Faithful  are the wounds of a friend; but the  kisses of an enemy are deceitful.

(Proverbs 27:6)

Have you ever had the unpleasant experience of having something in your teeth, from lunch,  that you didn’t know was there? Let’s just imagine you have a piece of lettuce between your teeth from a  delicious salad you just devoured. Then you go walking around the rest of the day . . . smiling away . . . talking to everyone, wondering why you’re getting a few weird looks from some you talk to. All the while, no one ever bothers to tell you about it. It’s sure embarrassing later when you happen to look in the mirror at the end of the day and discover the problem!

MY WIFE AND FRIEND. 

I remember several instances when my wife has pointed out some lettuce in my teeth – blind spots in my life that I could not see were there. It was during those moments I actually refused to believe I had a problem. But the longer I thought about what she pointed out to me, the more I could see it really was an issue. It’s happened several times over the years. God used her to reveal the truth to me more than once. Finally, I confessed the problem and began to make necessary adjustments to grow in that deficient area of my life. I praise God for a wife and friend who has loved me enough to inflict “faithful wounds” along the way that have helped me be a better example of Christ to others. My desire is to be all God wants me to be. And although I have a long way to go, I can delay my progress if I am not aware of the blind spots and am not open to correction.

WHAT IS IN YOUR TEETH?

Do you have a spouse, or a really good friend, who loves you enough to tell you the truth? Would you be willing to ask that friend to “check your teeth”  for something that may need to be removed from your life? If you and I really want to walk with God, we must be open to reproof . . . even if it hurts . . . even if it is something we would rather not hear. Our verse for today says, “Faithful are the wounds of a friend . . .” (Prov. 27:6). I believe it’s impossible to grow spiritually without the faithful wounds of a true friend; one who loves you enough to hold you accountable, point out blind spost and help you pick out an unseen lettuce of sin.

TAKE A CLOSER LOOK.

Here are some things to consider that we often do not see in ourselves:

1. 1. Gossip. Do you LOVE to give or receive a juicy piece of news about someone even though you have no knowledge if the news is true or not? God hates gossip and the spreading of strife among brothers (Prov. 6:19). It’s funny but true: gossip tends to be like bad breath, we notice it in others but do not notice it in ourselves.

1. 2. Unforgiveness. Is there someone who has hurt you and you have not forgiven that person? When we harbor unforgiveness it comes out in the form of being negative, sour, angry and constantly critical.

1. 3. Pride. Do you secretly feel like “it’s all about me…what I like, what I want, the way I think it ought to be done?” Notice the middle letter of prIde. The problem of pride is really just the big “I”. When I put myself above others and above God’s will, I am walking in pride. God’s word is clear: He hates pride and literally opposes those who are proud. “God resists the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble” (James 4:6 & Prov. 6:16-17).

1. 4. Jealousy. Do you find yourself comparing with others on a fairly consistent basis? When you’re around someone smarter, better at something you do, with more money, or more talented and blessed than you, do you start to resent that person and secretly long for him or her to fail? The Bible says we are not to compare but be content with what we have (Hebrews 13:5) 

Remember, as believers, we have Jesus!! Who could ask for anything more?

DECIDE TODAY. 

Let me encourage you as I encourage myself, be open to correction. “Whoso loveth instruction loveth knowledge: but he that hateth reproof is brutish”(stupid) (Prov. 12:1). 

Give your closest friend or spouse the green light in your life. Allow them the freedom to point out blind spots in you that you need to address. Don’t wait till later and be embarrassed by the ‘piece of lettuce’ you didn’t see sooner.  And be a friend who speaks the truth in love. Faithful wounds lead to faithfulness.

May God bless us as we obey His Word and do His will. 

Think it over . . . 

Doug Pierce is a Church planter and a pastor. In 2003 he started, and continues to pastor First Independent Methodist Church in Madison, Mississippi. His #1 priority is to glorify God in all aspects of ministry. He does this through teaching his congregation to Love God, Love One Another, and Love Others to God. Prayer, outreach, and church growth through evangelism are vital parts of his ministry. He and his wife Suzanne live in Madison, Mississippi where they also enjoy their children and grandchildren.

Image by John Oliver from Pixabay