"He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends" (Proverbs 17:9).
A few years ago the term "covering" became popular in the church world, people were asked, what church they belong to and where they had their spiritual covering. The understanding of "covering" was that the church was their "shield and protection", that it is a place of spiritual guidance and support in times of need. Well, "covering" is not just a church concept, it is an individual concept as well. We are called to "shield and protect" others, as well as provide guidance and support in times of need.
The bible shares, "all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God..." so how do we deal with the issue of someone falling?
A good friend or brother does not expose a fault or mistake to others. It is amazing the amount of gossip that goes on that literally destroys the lives of people that can be prevented if we only covered them.
Covering is not condoning. Covering is dealing with the offense, it is holding the individual accountable and it is insisting that the person get complete with what needs to be dealt with, but it is not sharing that information with others in a malicious way that would hurt and even destroy him or her. Accountability is not about embarrassing or taking glory in a person's offense.
Moreover, the person who commits the offense has a responsibility, not to repeat it again, which would put a strain on the friendship as the Proverb suggest.
The writer of Proverbs seems to imply that we have to believe in one another and protect one another's reputation. One of the attributes of love according to I Corinthians 13 is that "loves protects and believes all things..."
Living with Faith and Power and Creating a Phenomenal Life!
Bishop Keith Russell Lee
Hoffman Estates, IL and Los Angeles, CA
Spiritual Focus: Being a Covering For Others.
Spiritual Prayer Treatment
Father, I thank you for my covering and
because you cover me, I cover others as
well. May I truly walk in love and be
a vessel of your peace and love.
In the name of Jesus and Through His Power.
Amen! And So It Is!
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