Learning To Squint!

“Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.” — 1 Peter 4:8 (NIV)

“Hatred stirs up conflict, but love covers over all wrongs.” — Proverbs 10:12 (NIV)

The culture of honour means learning to cover our weaknesses kindly, rather than expose them cruelly. Noah teaches us a great example:

After the flood, Noah became drunk and lay uncovered in his tent. One son, Ham, simply stared at his father’s shame. But Shem and Japheth walked backwards carrying a covering so they would not expose him publicly.

And Noah blessed the sons who covered weakness rather than broadcasting it.

Healthy altars require this kind of mercy.

We live in a culture obsessed with exposure, outrage and public humiliation. But love still covers a multitude of sins. Honour does not mean ignoring serious sin or enabling abuse or crime. But it does mean refusing to delight in people’s failures or make weakness our obsession.

Learning to “Squint” Spiritually

Perhaps one of the strangest things I think Christians need to learn is how to “squint” spiritually.

If you read Genesis 3, you’ll find that in Eden, humanity ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil and suddenly became hyper-aware of shame, failure and nakedness. Since then, human beings have become experts at noticing faults — in ourselves and in everybody else.

It’s strange to realise from this passage that sin didn’t blind us — it actually made us hyper-aware and judgemental of ourselves and others!

But grace teaches us to look differently.

Not blindly. Not foolishly.

But mercifully.

We focus less on weakness and more on redemption. Less on constant criticism and more on Christ.

The Bible says:

“Whatever is true… noble… right… pure… lovely… admirable… think about such things.” — Philippians 4:8 (NIV)

What you focus on shapes the atmosphere of the altar. And perhaps one of the greatest ways we can cultivate a culture of honour is simply learning to look at one another through the eyes of mercy.

Because when a community truly learns to perceive Christ in one another, the glory of God begins breaking out among them in extraordinary ways.

The Atmosphere Mercy Creates

Mercy softens atmospheres.

Judgement hardens them.

Churches filled with gossip, criticism and constant fault-finding eventually become spiritually heavy places. But communities marked by honour, encouragement and grace often become safe places for healing, restoration and transformation.

Jesus consistently looked beyond people’s worst moments and saw who they could become through grace.

He saw a preacher inside Peter before Pentecost. A missionary inside the demoniac. A worshipper inside the Samaritan woman. A church planter inside Saul of Tarsus.

Mercy sees redemptively.

And when believers begin treating one another with that same spirit of honour and compassion, the altar becomes a place where healing, restoration and glory can flourish again.

An extract from The ALTAR by Jarrod Cooper. Order Your Copy Below 👇

Believe & Confess Meditation & Declaration

I will choose mercy, honour and love rather than criticism, offence and exposure (1 Peter 4:8). The Holy Spirit will help me see people redemptively through the eyes of grace and compassion (Ephesians 4:32). I will refuse gossip, fault-finding and judgemental attitudes that damage the atmosphere around the altar (Proverbs 10:12). My thoughts, words and attitudes will reflect the beauty, purity and mercy of Christ (Philippians 4:8). I will become a safe and healing presence who strengthens others rather than tearing them down (Romans 14:19). God will teach me to cover weakness wisely, lovingly and honourably while still walking in truth and integrity (Galatians 6:1-2). The atmosphere of my life, relationships and church will be shaped by grace, honour and the love of Jesus Christ (Colossians 3:12-14).

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THE ALTAR

Creating lives & cultures ready to host the glory of God.

Something is stirring.

Across the world, hunger for God’s presence is rising—and many are asking: how do we truly host His glory?

In The Altar, Jarrod Cooper calls us back to the place where heaven meets earth—the altar. A place of encounter, devotion, and transformation.

This book will help you:
• Deepen your personal encounter with God
• Build a lifestyle of worship
• Hear His voice clearly
• Create cultures that carry His presence

This isn’t just a book—it’s a call.
When the altar is restored, the fire falls again.

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