A Stark Contrast

Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.

If you do not consistently read the book of Proverbs, I challenge you to do so.  Each verse is a concentrated power pack of truth that will feed your soul throughout the day as you meditate on it.  Many of the verses in Proverbs give us an understanding of the consequences of right actions and wrong actions.  Because of this, we are left with a choice.  Do we choose to do what is right for the glory of God, or do we choose to do what is wrong for short term satisfaction and gratification?  Let’s take a look at our Proverb for today.

1. The Theme. 
    The only two words that go together in our verse today are strifes and sins.  We may not use those exact terms in our everyday life, but we all know what they are and deal with them constantly.  When we face them, what are we supposed to do about them?  We have two choices.
2. The Action. 
   We can act in hate, or we can act in love.  Immediately, we repel against the idea that we would ever be associated with hatred.  Instantly, we tell ourselves that we love our fellow man.  That’s okay, I do the same.  Now, let’s be quiet for a minute, pause, and give the Holy Spirit an opportunity to speak this principle into our hearts honestly.  Do our actions that others see and experience translate a message of hate, or a message of love.  According to this Proverb, what we do when faced with strifes and sins delivers that message loud and clear.
3. The Result. 
   Are the negative acts and attitudes of others stirred up, or covered up by you?  Are you a catalyst, or a cover?  Do you “stir the pot”, or are you a peacemaker?  We have a choice.  What results do we want to see happen around us?  The results speak for us and tell the world who we are.   

In review, we have a negative theme that is connected to opposing actions and results.  A negative action will bring a negative result, and a positive action will bring a positive result.  God gives us a clear choice to make.  Peter puts it this way in I Peter 4:8, “And above all things have fervent charity among yourselves: for charity shall cover the multitude of sins.”  I want to choose love.  Please pray for me daily that I will.  I hope that you desire to act in love as well.  I’ll be praying that God will help each one of us to make the right decision.  Remember the words of Jesus, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.”

photo credit: Pastor Shane