How responding to the sins of others reveals our own character …

How we respond when we witness the sins of others speaks volumes — not just about the person who has stumbled, but about the condition of our own heart and our own walk with Christ. It’s in these moments that our true character is revealed. In Genesis 9:18-27, we see a striking example of this when Noah, the man chosen by God to preserve life through the flood, finds himself in a moment of weakness — drunk and exposed. What happens next presents two very different reactions from his sons, offering a powerful lesson for us as Christians today.

Noah, perhaps weary from his labors or overly celebratory in the new world, drinks too much wine and falls asleep naked in his tent. This moment becomes an opportunity to see how his sons would respond — not just to their father’s vulnerability, but to sin itself. Their choices reveal much about their hearts and how we, too, should approach the sins and failings of others.

Ham, Noah’s youngest son, sees his father’s nakedness and immediately tells his brothers. The implication is not just that he saw his father in a compromised position, but that he chose to expose this situation to others instead of protecting his father’s dignity. There’s a subtle, yet powerful, lesson here: Ham’s actions represent a heart that lacks compassion, respect, and discretion. Rather than handling the situation with grace, Ham broadcasts Noah’s shame.

By contrast, Shem and Japheth choose a much different path. When they hear of their father’s condition, they do not rush in to see for themselves. Instead, they walk in backward, covering their father with a robe so they would not see him uncovered. Their action was deliberate and thoughtful, showing love and respect. Genesis 9:23 says: “Then Shem and Japheth took a robe, held it over their shoulders, and backed into the tent to cover their father. As they did this, they looked the other way so they would not see him naked.”

The key here is their response of love and discretion. While Ham chose to expose, Shem and Japheth chose to cover. This echoes the wisdom found in 1 Peter 4:8, which says, “Most important of all, continue to show deep love for each other, for love covers a multitude of sins.” Love doesn’t broadcast the failings of others; it seeks to protect and restore.

This story presents two types of people — or perhaps two types of Christians. On one hand, there are those like Ham who, when they witness the shortcomings or sins of others, feel compelled to spread the word, whether through gossip, slander, or judgment. This response exposes and highlights sin, leading to further shame and harm. It’s often clothed in self-righteousness or a desire to feel superior, but at its root is a lack of love and grace.

On the other hand, there are those like Shem and Japheth who choose to cover the sins of others — not to excuse sin or ignore it, but to act in a way that seeks restoration, protection, and love. Covering someone’s sin in this context doesn’t mean enabling or tolerating sin; rather, it means choosing not to shame someone publicly, handling their vulnerabilities with care and compassion. These are the people who live out what is commanded in Ephesians 4:29: “Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.”

In the church today, we need more people like Shem and Japheth — those who refuse to spread gossip, those who resist the temptation to expose others’ mistakes, and those who choose to cover with love. This doesn’t mean we hide sin or avoid accountability. The Bible makes it clear that sin must be dealt with, but the way in which we deal with it matters greatly. Galatians 6:1 instructs us, “Dear brothers and sisters, if another believer is overcome by some sin, you who are godly should gently and humbly help that person back onto the right path. And be careful not to fall into the same temptation yourself.” The goal is restoration, not humiliation.

Unfortunately, in many Christian circles, there are still “Ham-like” behaviors — quick to point out failures, eager to gossip about the sins of others, and careless with the dignity of those who have stumbled. It’s easy to fall into the trap of focusing on someone else’s shortcomings rather than reflecting on our own need for grace. Jesus’ words in Matthew 7:3-5 speak directly to this attitude: “And why worry about a speck in your friend’s eye when you have a log in your own? How can you think of saying to your friend, ‘Let me help you get rid of that speck in your eye,’ when you can’t see past the log in your own eye? Hypocrite! First get rid of the log in your own eye; then you will see well enough to deal with the speck in your friend’s eye.”

The story of Noah’s sons calls us to examine how we respond when we witness the sin or failure of others. Are we quick to expose and broadcast, or do we act with grace and discretion? Are we drawn to gossip, or do we lean into love and seek to restore and protect? The way we respond reveals much about the condition of our hearts and our understanding of the gospel itself.

Scotty