There is a small core of friends, I suppose, who would be truthful if they can be sure we will not turn on them. But most of those we call our friends are not likely—using Paul’s words—to speak the truth in love (see Ephesians 4:15). And so, sometimes it is left to our critics to help us tame our egos as they remind us, often in harsh terms, of our dark sides and our poor decisions.
