Do you keep or share secrets?



Proverbs 26:22--Oh my. This is a powerful lesson.

First, let's take a refresher of the definition of gossip: a person who habitually reveals personal or sensational facts about others. This person also has no compunction to pass on unsubstantiated information--otherwise known as rumors.

It's probably safe to say that a gossiper gives away private, personal information that doesn't belong to them.

What do we call the person who accepts--or listens to--this information?

As I think about it, the gossiper is like a thief. They may have been given custody of this information, but it was never theirs to use. So the person receiving this information is receiving stolen "property."

We don't always know when we might be purchasing something stolen--especially on the internet. A savvy person would check to be sure the person selling is the rightful owner.

However, it's different with gossip. We know the information being given to us is stolen because it doesn't belong to the gossip.

Scripture is very clear that gossiping is sinning. It would seem, it's another form of stealing. And if we take that "tasty morsel," we've devoured something precious that doesn't belong to us. That too is stealing.

If someone entrusts us with a private, personal matter, we are given a holy task to honor it by keeping it private. If there is someone who might help this person, we should definitely go back to them and ask if they would like to share this information with the person who might help.

If we are helping this person, it's wise to verify with them before seeking out counsel for yourself in how to better help them.

The goal in all this is for the person to be helped. Either by a listening-compassionate ear, prayer, counsel, or advice. The information shared with us never belongs to us.

May we treat personal, private information with care, my friends.

Proverbs 26:22--A gossip’s words are like tasty morsels—they slide down into the innermost parts of the body. Tree of Life Bible Society Tree of Life Version - TLV #tlvbible #tlvproverbs
[WATCH Tree of Life Bible Society's CEO, Daniah Greenberg and me, Terri Gillespie, Author dig a little deeper with this proverb. Check us out at Tree of Life Bible Society, Monday through Friday, LIVE at 8:30am EST. Watch previous episodes there as well. Stay wise, my friends!]

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