A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.  Proverbs 11:13 

 

Information is power! We trade with it to get what we want, and in the process:

 

(1) people who trust us get hurt, and never trust anybody again. And that’s sad, because we may have robbed them of the one thing they need most, a safe place to open up and be made whole

 

(2) The world looks on as we do this under the guise of 'I’m just sharing this with you so you can pray about it,' and loses respect for us, because in their secret societies and self-help groups, they actually live by the principle, 'What’s said in this room, stays in this room.' If somebody will betray to you another’s confidence, do you really think they’ll treat you any differently? Wise up! We’re allowing relationships that were meant to bring out the best in us to degenerate into grapevines. Did you hear about the three friends who were sharing their weaknesses? The first one said, 'My problem’s drinking.' The second said, 'My problem’s lust.' After a long silence the third said, 'My problem’s gossip, and I can’t wait to get out of here and talk about you guys!'

 

Ask yourself today, 'Am I trustworthy, or is my need to impress others so great that I’m willing to betray a confidence to do it?' Before you answer, take a moment and reread these words: 'someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence' (Prov 11:13). They simply won’t!