Proverbs 17:9 – “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends.”
In 2011, the New York Times ran an article titled: ‘The Gossip Machine.’ The article cited a bidding war for actress Lindsey Lohan’s father’s embarrassing recordings of his then fiancée, Kate Major. TMZ and their rival Radar wanted the exclusive on that juicy tidbit, knowing anything they paid would pale in comparison to what their customers would pay to have it. At the time, advertising revenue estimates for companies selling gossip had topped $3 billion.
All of us have done things and said things we would never want publicly exposed. We would feel humiliated if our worst moments were brought out into the open for all to see. Do we consider that in our handling of others’ worst moments? There is a tendency in all of us to judge ourselves on intent and judge others according to action.
It is the glory of mankind to cover the offenses of others. The difference between many homes and businesses falling apart, as opposed to healthy and thriving, is the difference between how people decide to handle others’ shortcomings.
When you don’t appreciate something, do you handle it one on one privately, or do you handle it publicly? Do you expose what you don’t like about others to everyone except the person themselves? Is that how you want to be treated by God and those around you?
Heavenly Father, help me to see my own shortcomings in order to be merciful towards others’ shortcomings. Help me to handle my disappointments directly as opposed to slandering. Thank you for covering my sins and being patient with me. Amen.