Lesson 7 for February 14, 2015

Solomon’s advice on resolving interpersonal conflicts: 1.Cover the mistakes (Proverbs 17:9; 19:11) 2.Be just (Proverbs 17:10; 19:25) 3.Speak wisdom (Proverbs 18) 4.Listen (Proverbs 18:2, 17) 5.Be truthful (Proverbs 19)

“He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates friends.” (Proverbs 17:9) “The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger, and his glory is to overlook a transgression.” (Proverbs 19:11) What should be our motivation to forgive our friends’ mistakes? What’s the difference between covering a mistake and excusing sin? “Covering” involves forgiving, hiding and forgetting (Psalm 85:2). Sin must be forgiven but reprimanded. It must be hidden and never spread (by gossiping) or excused. It must be forgotten so friendship prevails. “A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity.” (Proverbs 17:17)

“Rebuke is more effective for a wise man than a hundred blows on a fool.” (Proverbs 17:10) “Strike a scoffer, and the simple will become wary; Rebuke one who has understanding, and he will discern knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:25) Sin must be reprimanded. The person who sinned must be aware of his mistake so he can correct his behavior. Jesus forgave sinners and then He warned them, “Sin no more.” (John 5:14; 8:11). Love must not be blind or unconditional when covering mistakes.

E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp.51, pg. 516)

“Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions.” (Proverbs 18:2 NVI) “We don’t need to discuss this. I’m right!” We may be so confident about our own wisdom that we think we don’t need to listen to anybody else. “The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him.” (Proverbs 18:17) If we listen to our adversary, we may find out that we were actually wrong. Those who are led by divine wisdom listen to both sides before judging any question. God is the only One who doesn’t need a second opinion.

“Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than one who is perverse in his lips, and is a fool.” (Proverbs 19:1) A lie may bring momentary benefits (a promotion, a friend, escaping punishment…). Nevertheless, liars are always caught sooner or later. Consequences are then serious, so we finally find out that those previous benefits were not actually worth it. It becomes worse and worse. Everything we got from lying rots and makes our relationships bitter. That is a result of our sin. “A false witness will not go unpunished, and he who speaks lies will not escape.” (Proverbs 19:5)

“Let truth telling be held with no loose hand or uncertain grasp. Let it become a part of the life. Playing fast and loose with truth, and dissembling to suit one’s own selfish plans, means shipwreck of faith. ‘Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth.’ Ephesians 6:14. He who utters untruths sells his soul in a cheap market. His falsehoods may seem to serve in emergencies; he may thus seem to make business advancement that he could not gain by fair dealing; but he finally reaches the place where he can trust no one.” E.G.W. (The Acts of the Apostles, cp. 7, pg. 75)