Hate reveals; love conceals
Prov 10:12 Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongsOne stirs up dissension, one covers over all wrongs. One a troublemaker; one a peacemaker. Where there's hatred, trouble's bound to ensue. Where there's love, wrongs can be covered over – not in the sense of perverting justice but as in 17:9. Peter probably quotes it (1 Pe 4:8) Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins. Here are two men - one filled with hate so he always criticises; harps on others' failures; picks them up on the slightest thing. Dissension and strife are inevitable. The other is full of love. As far as his own sins are concerned no doubt he accepts 28:13. As for others, he doesn't look for faults. Where there's failure he draws no attention to it. He doesn't keep reminding people of it. As soon as he can, he forgives and forgets. Cf 1 Co 13. It's part of wisdom. Cf 19:11 on overlooking offences. Think how Joseph speaks to his treacherous brothers after Jacob’s death. They expect revenge but he says (Ge 50:20, 21) You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. So then, don’t be afraid. I will provide for you and your children. And he reassured them and spoke kindly to them. This is the NT way – love your enemies; forgive all; live at peace as far as possible; no vengeance; overcome evil with good; be kind and compassionate to all. If we know anything of love and forgiveness in Christ we'll want to put an end to all hatred and do all we legitimately can to cover up sin.
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