Picture: Counsel #22 — Guard with Care CR 24.1
Keeping a person’s secret in confidence is extremely important when they share something personal with you. It’s never easy to be vulnerable and open, so when someone shares, they expect you can be trusted. CR 24.2
On the other hand, breaking a person’s trust can cause deep-rooted emotional pain and lasting damage to the friendship. Even if sharing a secret feels harmless or tempting, the damage it can do to someone’s trust is never worth the cost. For example, if a friend confides in you about their struggles with anxiety and you share it without their permission, they may feel exposed and worry about being judged. This breach of trust could lead to others finding out, and might even result in the person being labeled or bullied as “unstable.” However, there are instances when sharing a secret is necessary. If the secret involves someone’s safety or well-being—such as harmful behavior or abuse—it’s essential to reach out to a trusted adult or professional for help. When in doubt, always reflect God’s love and wisdom in every word, thought, and action.[22] https://bath.adventistchurch.org.uk/bibleinfo_topics/friendship?_=1743194897234.4414 CR 24.3
“A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.” Proverbs 11:13 NIV CR 24.4
“There are men who are ever talking and gossiping and bearing false witness, who sow the seeds of discord and engender strife.” Ellen White in Maranatha , p. 228 CR 24.5
Reflect: Are you a trustworthy friend, or do you constantly tell others’ secrets? CR 24.6
