He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.
—Proverbs 17:9
True friends can be very hard to come by and even harder to keep. Sometimes changes in location, profession or outlooks are a real challenge; however, more than anything we often shed friends by our own doing.
Our verse today is not suggesting we cover up illegal activities of ones we know, but instead, mask, shelter and forget a wrong done to ourselves or someone else on a personal basis as apposed to announcing or broadcasting this infraction or situation which can only cause harm. Again, we are not talking about collusion or corruption we are talking about respecting and uplifting friends when they may have hurt us us or embarrassed themselves, when they made a poor choice or said some unkind and unchecked words they would so much like to take back.
When do you think they need a friend the most? When do you?
Jesus built friends. He shared, laughed, cried, ate and even died for His friends. That is friendship.
Many Blessings.
Craig