A Nugget Of Wisdom
A Nugget Of Wisdom
Proverbs 17:9 If there’s one nugget of wisdom I wish I had learned early in this life, it’s when to keep my mouth shut.
“He who conceals a transgression seeks love, But he who repeats a matter separates intimate friends.”
Proverbs 17:9 NASB1995
If there’s one nugget of wisdom I wish I had learned early in this life, it’s when to keep my mouth shut.
Reading this short verse from Proverbs, I am reminded of the younger, more foolish person I once was. I had a bad habit of pointing out faults of friends and loved ones, never thinking of how it would hurt them or even how it would make me look. As far as I was concerned, I thought I was “doing the right thing” by correcting others — after all, I was obviously a smart, caring guy! I even did this frequently with my dear wife Barb, and I can tell you that it started some amazing arguments…
As the second half of the verse points out, it’s bad enough to shine a spotlight on someone else’s alleged shortcomings, but it’s even worse to “repeat a matter” — spilling the beans to another person in private or public, or continuing to harp on the issue over and over again. I know for certain that I lost some close friends years ago when I pointed out their “faults” to other friends, never thinking or caring that they might pass along my observations. There’s no surer way to divide a friendship and ruin a relationship.
This proverb refers to “transgressions”, which biblically means “sins”, but it also applies quite well to “faults”, “shortcomings”, “deficiencies”, and “weaknesses” that we see in others. King Solomon, the writer and compiler of Proverbs, shows here that the sins or deficiencies of others should be tactfully disclosed, and always with love.
Concealing a transgression can be as simple as keeping your mouth shut until you think through whether or not the shortcoming of another is really worth pointing out, and if it is, finding the right way and time to lovingly discuss it. Always discuss it alone with the person first; if it is something that is affecting their relationship with family or other people, you may wish to bring those others in on a second discussion.
Proverbs is full of these nuggets of wisdom, and this verse is pure gold!
Heaven On Wheels Daily Prayer:
Lord, thank You for the wisdom that is found in Proverbs and throughout Your Word. Teach us to not point out others faults or sins in public, and if it is necessary, give us the words to correct and instruct with love. If someone has wronged us, may we follow the Words of Jesus and “forgive those who trespass against us”. AMEN.