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CAN YOU KEEP A SECRET?

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

Ever hear of the Hippocratic Oath? It’s been around for centuries. It goes like this: ‘Whatsoever I shall see or hear in the course of my profession, I will never divulge, holding such things to be holy secrets.’ That oath is taken by physicians and others in positions of trust, but it ought to be binding on every one of us! How would you feel if your doctor, your counselor, your minister, or a trusted confidante were to violate your confidence and broadcast your ‘holy secrets’? Solomon wrote some strong words on the subject; they’re worth considering: ‘The more talk, the less truth; the wise measure their words’ (Proverbs 10:19). Listen again: ‘‘someone of integrity won’t violate a confidence’’ (Proverbs 11:13). Have you ever thought of integrity in those terms? And finally, ‘Careful words make for a careful life; careless talk may ruin everything’ (Proverbs 13:3). The longer you live, the more you’ll come to realize there’s a severe shortage of people who can be trusted to keep their mouths shut and the more you’ll value those who do! If you were asked to define a person of integrity, wouldn’t the ability to keep a confidence be close to the top of your list? You know it would. So, here are some ground rules for you to live by today: (1) whatever you’re told in confidence, don’t repeat (2) whenever you’re tempted to tell, resist the temptation (3) whoever you’re talking about, don’t gossip (4) even when you disagree, don’t slander. Can you keep a secret? Prove it!

Prayer
Heavenly Father, help me to show integrity by keeping confidences with others so they feel safe and comfortable sharing with me – so that I can always point them to you and your wisdom and love and grace. In Jesus’ Name I pray, Amen