The following story is attributed to John Quincy Adams, the sixth president of the United States who served from 1825 to 1829. Though we cannot verify its authenticity, it does illustrate a vitally important Scriptural principle.
It is said that Mr. Adams, who from all accounts was a true believer in the Lord Jesus Christ—one who read 35 chapters of the Bible every day—was in the midst of a close contest for a political office. The man who was opposing him was a popular and formidable opponent and the race was very close.
One morning, a few weeks before the election, a visitor was shown into Mr. Adams’ office. Producing a thick envelope, the visitor said that it contained details about the lifestyle and habits of his opponent—true stories that could be proved by witnesses, whose names were also in the envelope. The information would be so embarrassing to Mr. Adams’ political rival, that if made public, it would insure his defeat in the coming election.
Mr. Adams listened silently until the visitor had finished speaking. He then asked if there existed any more copies of the material in the envelope. Upon being assured that there were none, he asked the visitor how much money was wanted for the package. A figure was named, and Mr. Adams promptly wrote a bank draft for that amount.
Then, taking the envelope, he opened it and, without reading any of the documents, began, to the visitor’s great amazement, throwing the papers one by one into the fireplace. It was not long before the whole contents as well as the envelope were reduced to a pile of unreadable ashes.
We read in Proverbs 10:1212Hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins. (Proverbs 10:12) that “hatred stirreth up strifes: but love covereth all sins.” The love of God, when allowed to act in our hearts, will never lead us to willingly talk publicly about others’ failures.
Though there are times when a Christian may need to reveal something that another has done to dishonor the Lord Jesus, we should never become talebearers (Prov. 11:1313A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. (Proverbs 11:13)). A talebearer is a person who spreads insulting or embarrassing stories about another things that ought to be kept secret. How important to ask the Lord Jesus to help us to not become gossipers concerning others’ faults or problems. God’s love in our hearts will cause us to confess our own sins to Him, while praying to Him about failures we find in others.
How happy we will be if we follow these words in 1 Peter 3:1111Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it. (1 Peter 3:11), “Let him eschew evil, and do good; let him seek peace, and ensue it,” and in Galatians 6:1010As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith. (Galatians 6:10), “As we have therefore opportunity, let us do good unto all men, especially unto them who are of the household of faith.”
Ed.