The Bible
does not say much about the prophet Nathan, but I know one thing: I want a friend like him!
After King
David’s affair with Bathsheba (if you are not familiar with this story, you can
read about it in 2 Samuel 11), Nathan is given the job of confronting the
king. Now, this is a scary thing because,
if he makes the king mad (and telling him that he is wrong is a good way to do
that) it could cost him his life. Not
only does Nathan go, but he is able to present the truth in such a way that
David not only admits his sin, but commits to changing his ways.
Everyone
needs a “Nathan”!
The truth is
that it is easy for me to rationalize my behaviour and to make excuses for
myself. I can be absolutely wrong and completely
unable to see it all at the same time.
Everyone needs someone who can speak truth into their life. Sometimes we need an outside voice, because our
inner voice will defend anything we choose to do, regardless of whether it is
right or wrong.
That is one
of the valuable things about Christian friendships and Christian fellowship
(such as in the church). A good friend
who shares the same values and the same outlook can help you maintain those
values and that outlook. Proverbs 27:6
says, “Wounds from a friend can be trusted”.
In other words, a real and valuable friend is one who will step in and
say the things that you need to hear when you need to hear them. If I never hear an outside voice, or if I
surround myself only with people who say what I want to hear, I am in big
trouble.
Everyone
needs a “Nathan”!
One last
thought: Please find your Nathan early. Too often, people wait too long before discussing
their problems. By the time they do, the
issue has been hidden for so long and has become so large that, when it finally
does explode, it is virtually impossible to put the pieces back together. The time to ask for help, the time to get a
perspective on your life, is now. Do not
put it off, or it may be too late.
We live in
a very individualistic time that, for the most part, says. “Handle your own
problems”, but everyone needs a sounding board.
Everyone needs a good friend who can “speak the truth in love”
(Ephesians 4:15).
Everyone
needs a “Nathan”!
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