I hope there is a place for critique among friends. None of my friends are perfect, nor am I, and if there was no room for critique, there would be no room for growth. Or change. Or sanctification.

Yuck! Imagine me being me forever. God help us if critique is over between friends!

“Better are the wounds of a friend than the kisses of an enemy.” Proverbs 27:6

When is a harder question.

If I have sin in my life that is destroying me and those around me, I hope I have godly friends like Nathan with King David who will rebuke me, hoping that I will repent and turn to God.

On the other hand, constant criticism is debillitating.

“A fool’s wrath is known at once,
But a prudent man covers shame.”
Proverbs 12:16

I think it depends on the sin, the depth of the relationship, and the motives behind it.

Most importantly, I think it depends on love: our love for God and His character, and our love for people and our desire that they become like Jesus.

To answer, yes, I think there is absolutely a place for critique among friends. I greatly appreciate the friends who chose to be honest both when I’ve asked them to be and when I don’t ask, but when they think it to be in my best interest–even if I don’t necessarily like it )

I don’t really know how to answer the second question. I think that it is always best to tread lightly even if, as you said, you are asked specifically for your opinion. A long time ago I was asked to edit something for a friend. When I began to put my editing marks in, the friend got pretty upset with my editing and took the critique quite personally. I didn’t realize when they said “edit” they just meant “read.” ) I’ve had a few people ask me to do this more recently for grad school applications and such and it still makes me nervous because I wonder what the expectation of me is.