I have changed the names. But just think of this today and see how it just might apply to yourself.

“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates very friends” (Proverbs 17:9).

Jack and Sherrie, Bill and Virginia, and Harold and Marian were good friends. They and their families often vacationed together and at least got together socially a couple of times a month. Then it happened. Bill deeply wounded his friend Jack. He misjudged Jack’s motives about a situation and spoke untruthfully about him.

Jack met privately with Bill and spoke graciously and quietly to him. Bill was deeply sorry for hurting his friend and apologized. Guess what, friends? Harold and Marian never knew of the offense. Do you know why? The answer is found in our verse for today. Jack applied the clear directions of the Lord for living biblically.

He could have easily fractured the friendship of an entire family, but he didn’t. Several years later Bill was speaking to Harold about the wonderful forgiveness he found in Jack, and to his astonishment, Harold never knew anything about it. Obviously there are instances where we have to tell others of the wrong situation. But there are times when a one-on-one personal situation can be resolved without ever separating other friends.

Here’s what I’m thinking today: Ask the Lord for wisdom if you are in a situation involving others. The Lord has plenty of wisdom to share with you, according to James 1:5.