Secrets

Laura Ingle

Key scripture – “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets, but he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.” (Proverbs 11:13)

Pastor, Charles Swindol asks some important questions: Can you keep a secret? When privileged information passes through one of the gates of your senses, does it remain within the walls of your mind, or is it only a matter of time before a leak occurs? Do you respect a person’s trust or ignore it, either instantly or ultimately?

The longer I live, the more I realize the scarcity of people who can be fully trusted with confidential information and the more I value those rare souls who fall into that category! As a matter of fact, if I were asked to list the essential characteristics that mark a person of integrity and trust, the ability to maintain confidences would rank very near the top.

A portion of the physician’s Hippocratic Oath comes to mind: “And whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession . . . if it be what should not be published abroad, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets.”

We would be justly offended by a doctor who treated our “holy secrets” lightly. The same applies to a minister or an attorney, a counselor or a parent, a teacher or a secretary, a colleague or a friend. Especially a close friend.

Solomon wrote some strong words concerning this subject in his Proverbs. Listen to his wise counsel and remember it the next time you are tempted to run off at the mouth:

“When there are many words, transgression is unavoidable, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” (Proverbs 10:19)

“The one who guards his mouth preserves his life; the one who opens wide his lips comes to ruin.” (Proverbs 13:3)

“He who goes about as a slanderer reveals secrets, therefore do not associate with a gossip.” (Proverbs 20:19)

“Without wood a fire goes out; without a gossip a quarrel dies down.” (Proverbs 26:20)

“A lying tongue hates those it hurts, and a flattering mouth works ruin.” (Proverbs 26:28).

In light of these scriptural admonitions, we need to establish four practical ground rules:

Whatever you’re told in confidence, do not repeat.
Whenever you’re tempted to tell a secret, do not yield.
Whomever you’re talking about, do not gossip.
However you’re prone to disagree, do not slander.
Be honest now, can you keep a secret? Prove it.

A confidence kept gives others confidence in you.

What marks a person of integrity? Ability to keep a secret ranks near the top.

“Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.” (James 1:26).

Pray this – My Precious Heavenly Father, help me to always remember to do unto others as you would have them do unto you. I want to be a true friend and confidant and never repeat in public what I have been told by someone in secret. When I speak to or about other people I want to glorify You with what I say to them and about them. Help me to always remember how much damage and how much good I can do with my my words.
“Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, Sweet and delightful to the soul and healing to the body.” (Proverbs 16:24). Give me the wisdom to understand and apply in my life what You tell us in the Book of James about the tongue. “When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.” (James 3:3-12). Father, I cannot tame my tongue only You can. I give all my thoughts and words to the Holy Spirit so that they are used to build people up and not to tear them down. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen.