Proverbs10:8-12 – “The wise in heart will receive commands, but a prating fool will fall.  9 He who walks with integrity walks securely, but he who perverts his ways will become known. 10 He who winks with the eye causes trouble, but a prating fool will fall. 11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked. 12 Hatred stirs up strife, But love covers all sins.”  NKJV

The foolishness of the heart is often revealed in the incessant blabber of the lips whereas the wise person desires to gain knowledge and instruction.  Walking in one’s integrity is a walk that exudes from a sense of peace and security, whereas the wicked seek shortcuts and pervert justice and wisdom.  The words from the mouth of the righteous bring peace, and hope and point to life whereas the mouth of the wicked propels toward destruction and often is accompanied by violence.

Sadly, I know some in Christendom who have taken what I call the ‘Three Money Approach’to sin.  They refuse to see it, refuse to hear it, and refuse to denounce or speak against it!  They pretend to see nothing, hear nothing, and offer no rejection of wickedness in our present world.  That approach, in my view, expresses Hate, not Love.  I know, I have made a very bold statement and desire to explain what I mean if you will afford me the opportunity.

If you recall the words of Solomon in Proverbs 13:24 we are told that the parent who refuses to discipline (the rod) hates the child.  We also read in Proverbs 10:12 that hatred stirs up strife, but Love covers offenses.  That is not a directive to ‘wink at sin’ but for forgiveness. 

In Proverbs 8:13 we are told that the fear of the Lord is hatred of evil.  I would ask, “If you saw a relative or friend destroying their life would it be a demonstration of love to remain silent and allow them to continue when you could give a warning?”  Be careful that you do not come across as judgmental but use wisdom, compassion, caring, and love when you give the warning. Let the Holy Spirit make your words and attitude one of compassion, not judgment. I would suggest it could be argued that it is the opposite of love for if I see you in mortal danger and remain silent how can I argue that I am doing so out of Love?

I know many quote the passage in Proverbs 13:24 as “spare the rod and spoil the child” but it is stronger than that as you can read.  It is spare the rod (refusing proper discipline) is evidence of hate, not love, and spoiling the child is a minor thing compared to the destruction that awaits.  In Proverbs 23:13 we are told that in administering discipline to the child we prevent that child from death (spiritual and possibly natural).  This can be expanded to all relationships. 

As a Christian and a minister, I do not want to come across as all Hell Fire and Brimstone to the exclusion of Love and Grace.  But there are times when I must sound the alarm, identify sin as sin, and warn of its destruction.  If I ‘wink at sin’ and pretend it is not a big deal I open an unwanted door.  That sin, whatever it might be or however small, can then grow uninhibited into a deadly cancer in the soul and my ‘Three Monkey Approach’ only brings death and destruction. 

The Bible says that ‘faithful are the wounds of a friend’ (Proverbs 27:6). You may not like what I have to say, or I may not like being called out when wrong but if the objective is life and restoration then wound me, please!

The Three Monkey Approach creates a condition where the supposed pursuit of tolerance and acceptance becomes a death sentence.  It reduces the church to a social club rather than a spiritual hospital and rehab center.  If we genuinely Love one another, we will not be abusive, but we will not ‘wink at sin’ for the love that lives in us will overpower the desire to be accepted by all. 

If you are my friend, please NEVER ‘wink at my sin’ but let your love for me compel you to speak truth to my life.  I may not like it but if you love me, you will help me see the fallacy of my ways and lead me to the place where sins are covered.  If you allow me to continue without objection you only bring me and possibly you trouble. 

Oh God, please break our hearts over sin again!   May the Lord be with you as you go through your day!