"Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all offenses" (Prov. 10:12, ESV). "Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins" (Prov. 10:12, KJV).
Many people use this verse of scripture to teach that we should overlook the sins of others. They will connect this to the famous statement in Matthew 7:1, "Judge not that ye be not judged." The idea is that we should never say anything to anyone about their sins and shortcomings. After all, "love covers all offenses." Just ignore it and it will eventually go away.
But that is not at all what the wise man is instructing us to do in Proverbs 10:12.
In order for us to understand this verse, we need to see the contrast within the verse itself.
Hatred stirs up strife BUT love covers all offenses
The theme of the verse is strife and discord. In essence, Solomon is presenting a negative and positive reaction to the offenses of others. The negative reaction is hatred which only inflames the problem. Hatred often leads to slander, gossip, backbiting, and the list goes on. When someone sins or offends in some point, we should not inflame the problem by telling the juicy details to everyone that we know.
Instead, we should react in a positive way to the situation. In a loving way, we should "cover the offense." Certainly, if someone has sinned or if someone has exercised poor judgment in some area (causing an offense of sorts), we need to love them enough to confront them about it, so that they have the opportunity to make it right (see Prov. 28:13). But this love should also prevent us from stirring up strife.
Let's say that a friend of yours offends you or wrongs you in some way. What do you do? Do you go to your friend and work it out with them privately, or do you call/email all of your closest companions and tell them a one-sided story that will only stir up further strife and enmity?
The point is this: when a problem can be handled privately, love that person enough to "cover the offense." Go to them. Work it out. Keep it quiet.
Many people use this verse of scripture to teach that we should overlook the sins of others. They will connect this to the famous statement in Matthew 7:1, "Judge not that ye be not judged." The idea is that we should never say anything to anyone about their sins and shortcomings. After all, "love covers all offenses." Just ignore it and it will eventually go away.
But that is not at all what the wise man is instructing us to do in Proverbs 10:12.
In order for us to understand this verse, we need to see the contrast within the verse itself.
Hatred stirs up strife BUT love covers all offenses
The theme of the verse is strife and discord. In essence, Solomon is presenting a negative and positive reaction to the offenses of others. The negative reaction is hatred which only inflames the problem. Hatred often leads to slander, gossip, backbiting, and the list goes on. When someone sins or offends in some point, we should not inflame the problem by telling the juicy details to everyone that we know.
Instead, we should react in a positive way to the situation. In a loving way, we should "cover the offense." Certainly, if someone has sinned or if someone has exercised poor judgment in some area (causing an offense of sorts), we need to love them enough to confront them about it, so that they have the opportunity to make it right (see Prov. 28:13). But this love should also prevent us from stirring up strife.
Let's say that a friend of yours offends you or wrongs you in some way. What do you do? Do you go to your friend and work it out with them privately, or do you call/email all of your closest companions and tell them a one-sided story that will only stir up further strife and enmity?
The point is this: when a problem can be handled privately, love that person enough to "cover the offense." Go to them. Work it out. Keep it quiet.
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