Proverbs 17: 9
He who covers a transgression seeks love, but he who repeats a matter (he does it again) separates intimate friends.
I was puzzled by this verse for a long time. But as I thought about it, and came back to it to consider it again, I finally came to an understanding of what it means.
It means that I can preserve a friendship with one who has wronged me in some way by forgiving them and not bringing it up again; but if they take advantage of my graciousness and do the same thing again, or are otherwise inconsiderate or do wrong to me again, then the friendship would still be broken.
I am to do my part to heal the relationship, but they are also responsible for doing their part.
I cannot change their attitudes, I can only work on "inviting" them to do right, and "inspiring" them to act on their "higher nature." It is up to them to do so.
O my Father, help me to learn from You to be as shrewd as a serpent yet as gentle as a dove in my relationships with others, that I not push them away, but draw them back to You.
Even so, come, Lord Jesus!
