Gotcha Covered

Have you ever been hanging out with someone and noticed that their shortcomings were showing? They may have said something ‘out of character’, used the wrong fork, or committed any number of indiscretions. How did you react? It may even have been a thoughtless remark or action directed towards you. What was your response?

The 12th chapter of Proverbs contains two verses that explain the proper way to handle those situations. Proverbs 12:16 says, “A fool’s vexation is known at once, but a prudent man conceals dishonor”. It is the ministry of the prudent to cover. Now, I’m not talking about bank robbery, or terrorism here--just bad social etiquette or rudeness. Prudence is not only a quality for the moment, but later on also when we find ourselves among those who weren’t present when the incident took place. At that point we get the opportunity to exercise the prudence described in Proverbs 12:23, “A prudent man conceals knowledge, but the heart of fools proclaims folly”. Even if someone else brings it up, it is our responsibility to down play the matter and end the discussion.

Prudent is defined as 'subtle, shrewd or sensible. It can also mean sly or crafty.' Covering over another person’s faux pas is an act of mercy. When we use shrewdness or craftiness to cover the mistakes of another person, then we are ministering mercy to someone who, right at that moment needs mercy more than any other commodity. Jesus, looking down the corridors of time remarked that the sons of this age were more shrewd in relation to their own kind than the sons of light, (Luke 16).

The New Testament steps it up a notch and defines the quality that covers as ‘love’. 1 Peter 4:8 says, “…love covers a multitude of sins”. I Corinthians 13:7, speaking about love says it, “Covers all things…” That word translated covers means ‘like a roof’. ‘Put a lid on it’. When we put a lid on a matter, we protect the other person’s value. A facial expression that shows annoyance at another’s ignorance or shortcomings, or repeating the incident later clearly lowers the value of that person in the eyes of everyone present. Covering others is also evangelical. The bible tells us that it is God’s kindness that leads us to repentance, (Romans 2:4). When an unbeliever experiences the mercy and kindness from us at not having his blunder exposed, he will understand the kindness of the Lord and an opportunity is then opened to him to repent.

I heard a beautiful illustration of this recently at a gathering of woman. The speaker described a vision she had where she saw a large group of ladies in a circle. Each lady was wearing a full skirt that she held out at the sides so that it covered the skirt of the person next to her. If one of the ladies had a stain on her skirt, it would never show because the skirt of the one next to her covered it over.

Why is it so important that we cover for one another? Proverbs 17:9 states, “He who covers a transgression seeks love.” As stated before, the expression of love covering over another person’s shortcomings is an act of mercy. We are all in need of mercy. The best way to get mercy, according to Jesus in Luke 6:36, “Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.” He goes on to say that the way we act is the way we will be treated. If you have found yourself coming up a bit short in the mercy area, don’t despair. Another way to get mercy is to go to the “Throne of Grace and receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need” Hebrews 4:16. Begin to look for ways to give mercy to others in even the tiniest ways by covering their errors. The Holy Spirit is faithful. If you ask Him, He will begin the process changing your heart and responses to life’s irritations and unfairness. While stretching out your skirt over someone else’s stain…don‘t be surprised…when you look down and see someone else's skirt stretched out over your stain.

Senia Owensby