Daily Devotional

-February 20, 2021-

Good morning, happy Saturday,

-Keep Quiet The Faults Of Others And Don’t Gossip-

“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.”

(Proverbs 17:9).

The relationships between believers is very important. The key overriding principle is love. It is very important to encourage one another to walk in obedience, holiness, and love before the Lord. With so many discipling and mentoring others, especially the newer believers, it important to keep their problems confidential and not share them with others.

Solomon writes, “He who covers a transgression seeks love…” This does not mean to hide sin and important issues from the leadership of the church. They need to know what is happening so they can deal effectively with it and help that person. There are persons in the church such as the pastor and his wife and or other elders who are trained to handle problems and issues among the saints. It does mean not to share it with others who do not need to know.

Not everyone is a counselor just like not everyone is a preacher or teacher. Counseling is very important in the church. In our church we are so blessed to have Adel and Sylvia as counselors with their knowledge of the Word, the skills of listening and sharing what to do, and their many years of experience. They then train others to take on this ministry. They keep everything what they hear confidential.

Solomon goes on to say, “…but he who repeats a matter separates friends.” Gossip is sharing information about others with those who are neither part of the problem nor part of the solution. It only fuels the fire and burns the house. Proverbs 16:28 says, “A perverse man sows strife, and a whisperer (gossip) separates the best of friends.” The gossip speaks in a whisper. They may say, did you hear about so and so? Isn’t that terrible?

We need to pray for others. Certain personal things need to be kept confidential and just brought before the throne of grace. James 5:16 says, “Confess your trespasses to one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

May we both keep confidences and share with the leadership the important problems and issues but not gossip the information to others. Let the law of love, with grace and mercy prevail.

Have a blessed day in our relationships with others. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean