“Love covers a multitude of sins.” I Peter 4:8b I don’t know about you, but the common application of this verse has always troubled me. Which sins should I look over? How often should I ignore the my kid’s sins? Does God do that with me? Unfortunately, if you’ve heard that true love “covers up” sin by ignoring it, then you were subjected to the same poor interpretation that I was for so long. Today I want to look at one Old Testament verse and Two New Testament verses that correctly interpret this idea of “covering sin.”
So, what’s the application to our parenting? Nowhere in Scripture are Christians told that love ignores sin. In fact, the number of passages that would blatantly contradict that concept are prevalent. As a parent, it is nothing short of laziness or fear that makes us turn a blind eye to our children’s disobedience. When we choose not to address our children’s sin, we’re doing them a huge disservice -- we’re not loving them. Now, I’m not saying that there always has to be consequences or a lecture or a memory program. But since we will never accidentally glorify Godin our parenting, I am saying that we need to be purposeful in how we deal with our kids’ sinful choices. It may involve waiting, but it will never involve ignoring. The four passages we looked at are -- in fact -- reminding us that the most loving and Christ-honoring thing we can do in the face of our children’s sin is to have a spirit of forgiveness. This interpretation is highly supported by numerous passages. Therefore, don’t ever feel responsible to ignore sin. Ever. Instead, in a spirit of love and forgiveness, speak to your child about his standing before God in an attempt to find reconciliation. Rebuking, reproving, and admonishing can be the most loving things a parent can do when they’re done with the right attitude of love and restoration. Remember our theme verse. Ephesians 4:15 “But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him who is the head, even Christ,” AMBrewsterAMBrewster is the founder Truth.Love.Parent. and host of its podcast.
2 Comments
Sabrina
1/23/2019 01:49:19 am
Thanks for clarifying that the verse talks of forgiving our kids and giving grace to them.
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2/5/2019 11:33:32 am
Dear Sabrina,
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