Let’s keep our mouth with a bridle while the wicked are before us (Psa 39:1):
• “A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.” (Prov 12:16).
The prudent doesn’t have pleasure in the shame of his neighbor. Rather, he doesn’t accept no shame against his neighbor (Ps 15:3), nor he bear false witness against his neighbor (Deut 5:20).
The prudent, even being affronted by the wicked, don’t scathe them in public. Instead, he tries, in Christ Jesus, cover their turpitude. Here it is important make a distinction between “conceal” and “cover”.
“Conceal” is to try to preclude people of perceive the faults and frailties of the wicked. The Holy Scripture, at no moment, instruct us to do so. On the contrary:
• “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Eph 5:11).
See Paul’s example:
• “But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was to be blamed.” (Gal 2:11)
He told off Peter before all the presents. And don’t think that Peter held a grudge against Paul. See how he quoted Paul in his epistle:
• “And think of the long-suffering of our Lord as salvation (as *our beloved brother Paul* also has written to you according to the wisdom given to him” (2Pe 3:15).
The savant accepts the rebuke willingly (Proverbs 9:8). He berates someone because, afterwards, he will find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue (Prov 28:23).
“Cover”, on the other hand, implies in seeking in Christ that the person can get free of their lean to the sin.
So, instead of trying to run away from the sin of people (whether ignoring their sins or trying to muscle them to change their heart), have a good day biding patiently in Christ until that He has all the necessary time to show His mercy and grace toward those that consider you an enemy.
• “A fool's wrath is presently known: but a prudent man covereth shame.” (Prov 12:16).
The prudent doesn’t have pleasure in the shame of his neighbor. Rather, he doesn’t accept no shame against his neighbor (Ps 15:3), nor he bear false witness against his neighbor (Deut 5:20).
The prudent, even being affronted by the wicked, don’t scathe them in public. Instead, he tries, in Christ Jesus, cover their turpitude. Here it is important make a distinction between “conceal” and “cover”.
“Conceal” is to try to preclude people of perceive the faults and frailties of the wicked. The Holy Scripture, at no moment, instruct us to do so. On the contrary:
• “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them.” (Eph 5:11).
See Paul’s example:
• “But when Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he was to be blamed.” (Gal 2:11)
He told off Peter before all the presents. And don’t think that Peter held a grudge against Paul. See how he quoted Paul in his epistle:
• “And think of the long-suffering of our Lord as salvation (as *our beloved brother Paul* also has written to you according to the wisdom given to him” (2Pe 3:15).
The savant accepts the rebuke willingly (Proverbs 9:8). He berates someone because, afterwards, he will find more favor than he who flatters with the tongue (Prov 28:23).
“Cover”, on the other hand, implies in seeking in Christ that the person can get free of their lean to the sin.
So, instead of trying to run away from the sin of people (whether ignoring their sins or trying to muscle them to change their heart), have a good day biding patiently in Christ until that He has all the necessary time to show His mercy and grace toward those that consider you an enemy.