Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.                                                                                                              

                                                                           Proverbs 10:12 

Today: Read Proverbs 10

It seems like a no brainer. We can choose between light or darkness, life or death, hatred or love. But our proverb today leaves little room for us to doubt the power of love. The writer gives us two priceless nuggets of spiritual wisdom.

First, hatred stirs up strife. It is a part of our fallen nature to have conflict and strife with others. Strife can be defined as angry or bitter disagreement over fundamental issues. It would be wonderful for us to report that these disputes only happen outside of the church but tragically, that is not the case. Strife is mentioned often in scripture, but for some, it may be just considered a part of life, not as grievous as other sin, and therefore not considered as important. Paul had a different view of strife, placing it firmly within the scope of sin and not to be a part of the Christian life. Consider the following:

…being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; they are gossips…

                                                                                                   Romans 1:29 

In context, this is a description of those outside of the church who had rejected God. Included among the many descriptors for these unbelievers, Paul mentions strife. Hatred for God and others will almost always lead to conflict and strife. Paul felt so strongly about this issue that he warns the church to avoid it: 

Let us behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and sensuality, not in strife and jealousy.

                                                                                                   Romans 13:13 

I find it interesting that he includes strife among other sin such as carousing, drunkenness, and sexual promiscuity. To elevate some of these transgressions over and above that of strife is to ignore the clear warnings we have against this sinful attitude. When we stir up strife and discord, we are not being godly rather we are operating in the flesh. Consider the following: 

For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men? 

                                                                                           1 Corinthians 3:3 

“Walking like mere men” is a way for Paul to say that, because of strife, these believers were not distinguishing themselves from the world. This is one of the biggest problems with hatred and strife. When Christians engage in this type of behavior they are not painting an accurate picture of God, Christ, or the gospel. But that is where wisdom has much to teach us. Just as hatred stirs up strife, so love covers all transgressions.

It is easy to preach or teach on love, but living this out in the context of the real world is another matter entirely. I believe that is one reason why we must rely on the power of the Holy Spirit. The presence of God in our lives empowers us to love others. Proverbs tells us that love covers all transgressions and this “covering” begins with the love of God. Consider the following:

By this the love of God was manifested in us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world so that we might live through Him.

                                                                                                     1 John 4:9

We do not have to wonder whether or not God loves us. His love was manifested, meaning that is was demonstrated by the sending of Jesus into the world. Christ did not come to condemn the world rather that the world might be saved (John 3:17). The end result to this sending of Jesus was so that we might live. Paul echoes this reality when he wrote:

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. 

                                                                                                       Romans 5:8

This is the essence of the gospel. Because of God’s tremendous love for His creation, He made a way for sinners (that’s all of us) to be redeemed and made acceptable in His presence. This salvation from eternal death is on the basis of faith in Christ and what He accomplished on the cross on our behalf. This is the power of the gospel, the power of the cross, and the power of love.

But I believe that Proverbs is also telling us that love towards others also covers transgressions. Consider the words of Peter: 

Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because love covers a multitude of sins.

                                                                                                         1 Peter 4:8 

Peter conveys the same message that love is extremely powerful. When believers are fervent in their desire to treat others with respect and decency, they discover the power of love. People respond positively to this type of attitude. We are all designed to require love and acceptance. Strife brings forth bitterness, anger, and rejection, but the power of love brings healing, forgiveness, and acceptance.

It seems like a no brainer. We can live in strife and conflict or experience the power of love in our lives. I hope you find yourself receiving the love of God and reciprocating it into the lives of others!