As a young coach I was blessed with good players and quick success. Although people told me what a good coach I was, I considered the really great coach to be in the local junior high. Phil Hodson was the Wilbur Shooterfly (Hoosiers) of my day. He had an incredible knowledge of the game. One day after winning our seventh or eighth game in a row, he pulled me aside. I was expecting him to tell me I did a great job. Instead, he let me have it. He told me what I needed to hear, not what I wanted to hear.

Throughout Scripture we read about people who grew in the Lord when someone spoke truth to them. David had great success, but probably wouldn’t have gotten as far if Nathan hadn’t reminded him of what he was called to do. Jesus did this with His disciples. We enjoy hearing how great we are, but the saying, “flattery will get you everywhere” does not always ring true. Like David and Peter, we need to be told what we need to hear no matter how much it hurts.

Being a true friend means speaking the truth in love. Our relationship with Christ is that way. He always speaks the truth in love. It’s how we grow in Him.