Proverbs 11:13 - Keep a Secret

Proverbs 11:13

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter. 

Message: Keep a secret

Time: Proverbs records multiple individuals as its author with Solomon as the principal author. Solomon died in 931 BC though most think the book was likely in its final form sometime before the end of Hezekiah’s reign in 686 BC. It is a book that instructs people on the path of wisdom. It speaks to all of life and living our lives under the authority and direction of God.

What the Lord is Saying: New Living Translation - "A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence." Why say talebearer when most translations say gossip? In the King James a talebearer is contrasted with a faithful spirit. Talebearer is a stronger word. Saw this online, " A gossip is a broader term for someone who engages in casual, unconfirmed talk about others, often trivial, speculative, or critical, aiming to build themselves up or spread negativity, but the talebearer is the active secret-revealer within that gossip." So the talebearer is more direct and has more of a purpose to spread secretes. Thus, the verse states, "talebearer reveals secrets." The gossip is often spreading information that is unconfirmed. 

I think this can be a hard line to draw at times. As a manager, I know more things than most. It can be hard to know things and then what to share with others, who perhaps are of no help with that matter. I notice this in many circles. Someone reached out to me this week about info on the President. It was one thing I think for the newspaper to report on events happening, but something else for people to then comment incessantly on those events and speculating. I suppose I wonder some times the time we spend investing in activities like this that have not much lasting value and are just speculation. 

Then in contrast is one who is trustworthy, so it is a person that people can share anything with, private matters and they know the word won't get around. We all have events in our lives that are a struggle for us and we need people to confide in. I appreciate the men in my life that struggle with things in life and we have one another, but those matters need to be kept a secret. I need to be seen as a trustworthy person. 

The one with a faithful spirit know how to control one's tongue. 

Prayer: Lord, my speech -- it seems like a constant issue and I suppose it is as I learn information and then knowing what to share, what to talk about. I suppose it is our past time to talk about things. And yet I wonder how much we should. I can read articles, engage in work activities, listen to music, serve others, and do those things, but simply sitting back and talking of others, I need to watch out for this in my life. 

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