Love: The Best Way

He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends. (Pro 17:9 MKJV)

Quoth the wisest king, Solomon.  As one who has walked this sod for nearly a half-century, this is a lesson and a missive that I strive to keep in the forefront of my thinking all the time.  We are immersed in  a society that is out for number one, even if it means selling out others, even our friends.  But the wisdom of God, speaks out through the voice of the king, reminding us of another way.

This phenomenon also seems to find it's way into and amongst believers.  We Christians are too often known for pointing the finger at others, even if only with the intent of 'fixing' things.  Often these criticisms are not well received and strife is born.  It has been said that the church is the only army in the history of the world that shoots it's own wounded.  I think this is a sad, but mostly true indictment.  I have been guilty myself, and I repent before the Lord for it.

Should we be complicit in cover-ups for the bad behavior of others?  I don't think that is what the writer implies. Rather, it seems to embody that old saw that our mothers taught us at her knee;  "If you can't say something good about someone, then say nothing at all".  Yet we seem to find this concept supremely difficult to put into practice.  Questions from others, awkward moments, silence, and innuendo literally scream out to be answered, and we say something that should not be said.  This often strays across the lines of common decency and becomes gossip.  And that, my friends, is the enemy of peace, harmony, and love.

Relationships are then sacrificed upon an altar of flesh.  We see this happen all the time.  Many have left the church, pulled back, or have perhaps left ministries, hurt and wounded because of these types of things.  Then as if it weren't enough, they become attacked by the very people who should be reaching out and restoring them.  Lord please forgive us!

In my prayer and meditation about this recently, the Holy Spirit brought to my remembrance the words of our Lord; "The poor you will have with you always."  This was striking, given the context of my thought train and line of prayer at that time.  But to God, poverty is not measured by what's in a person's bank account.  That is to say a person isn't poor because they lack personal wealth.  Rather they suffer lack because they are poor.  Poverty is a spiritual condition.  Pain, offense, and regret inhibit a person's growth and create spiritual lack.  To put a practical spin on this, we don't just kick a homeless man in the slats for being poor.  Neither should we be un-charitable to someone who is struggling spiritually.

The apostle Peter puts it like this:

And above all things have fervent love to yourselves, for love will cover a multitude of sins. (1Pe 4:8 MKJV)

As I have come to realize at this stage in life,  not every situation needs to be commented upon, discussed, or repeated to others.  Even in the name of 'prayer'.  Given the choice between an awkward silence, or giving cause to strife in the Body, I choose silence.