September 6, 2008
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Psalm 1 begins with a promise of blessing for any who
1. Don't walk, stand, sit in the "means" of sinners
2. Do delight in God's law, meditating on it (thinking about how it guides us in living)
The psalmist then describes this blessing as bearing leaves and fruit, even in tough seasons, and by standing in the assembly of the righteous.
So in a counseling session (i.e. when someone comes to me with a complaint, frustration, or issue (in the midst of their tough season?) I can help them get the blessing of God by helping them to
1. Not handle their situation in the manner of (by means of) evil
2. Figure out how God's law would guide them in their handling of their situation.
But if I don't help them do 1 and 2, but rather actually help them handle their situation sinfully, then I am helping Satan rob them, helping them miss that blessing that God has planned for them.
Thus friends who love us enough to "wound" us are faithful, while those who might give many kisses might very well be our enemy.
The wounding friend helps us grow away from our sinful thoughts and practices in handling the tough times of life. They help us gain the blessing of God, and help us make it to the assembly of the righteous.
The kissing enemy deceives us by never wounding, and by helping us give into our fleshy, sinful ways of handling tough times. We like them, but they rob us. We don't get better at our tough times because they help us stay stuck in sinful thoughts and practices. Under their guidance, we may miss the assembly of the righteous.
