You are referring to what we read in 1 Peter 4:8, “Above all, keep fervent in your love for one another, because LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS.” (NASB).  First, I think it would be good to see what this verse DOES NOT MEAN.  It does not mean that we ignore or excuse sin.  It does not mean that we accept or condone sin.  It does not mean that we minimize the act and consequence of sin.  These things would only prove to be harmful to others and give the false idea that sin is insignificant in the eyes of the Lord. 

Let’s look at the two main thoughts in this instructive verse.

KEEP FERVENT IN YOUR LOVE FOR ONE ANOTHER – It is true that we, as believers should love everyone, but this verse speaks directly of the love that believers should have for each other as shown in the words, ‘for one another.’  The Lord Jesus spoke of that love in John 13:35, “By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another.”  We are instructed to maintain ‘fervent’ love for one another.  This Greek word, ‘ektenḗs’ is used only twice in the Bible.  Here in 1 Peter 4:8 and in Acts 12:5 where it is translated as “without ceasing.”  Surely that is indicative of how we should love our fellow believers.  Like the love of Christ for us, our love for one another should be permanent…not a love that comes and goes according to how we are treated by others.

BECAUSE LOVE COVERS A MULTITUDE OF SINS – This is a quote from Proverbs 10:12 which says, “Hatred stirreth up strifes: but LOVE COVERETH ALL SINS.”  It is because we have love for our fellow believers that we are motivated to cover their sins.  What does this mean?  We have already seen what it DOES NOT mean, but how can we properly understand this and put it into proper practice?  There are a couple of ways.

In our love for one another, we need to overlook the faults in others.  We should not be easily offended but have hearts of forgiveness towards those we interact with.  Our attitude should be as we read in Ephesians 4:31-32, “Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.” To be tenderhearted is to be compassionate and sympathetic to others.  Along with that, let’s also read Galatians 6:1 which says, “Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”  If we see a fellow believer struggling with a sin, our desire should be to help that one, not criticize or condemn that person.  One who is ‘overtaken in a fault’ is one who is trying to overcome but is being overcome…and needs our help to strengthen and encourage them. 

Another thought is that when we realize one has sinned, we do not make public their actions.  Our Christian love does not dwell on injuries, offences, and affronts, but overlooks them, bears with them, and forgives them.  We certainly should not criticize them to others, so that others think less of them.  We have a wonderful example of this concerning John the Baptist in Matthew 11:1-15.  John had been put into prison because of his godly stand against evil.  There, his faith seemed to waver because of his unexpected circumstance.  To his disciples, the Lord offered encouraging and corrective words to John.  He stated in verse 6, “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.”  Yet, when the Lord spoke to the crowd about John, He spoke in glowing terms of John’s work and faithfulness.  He stated in verse 11, “Verily I say unto you, Among them that are born of women there hath not risen a greater than John the Baptist: notwithstanding he that is least in the kingdom of heaven is greater than he.”  The Lord knew that to criticize John publicly for his moment of doubt would only discourage John, but would detract from the many ways He exalted the Lord in his lifetime.

So…may we take to heart the valuable lesson we have before us here to love one another fervently, to forbear and forgive others, and not make public what needs to remain private.  (CC)  (708.4)