Trusting Others and God with Our Secrets

by Pastor Dennis

Reflections on Proverbs 25:1-28

“If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets. Otherwise everyone will learn that you can’t keep a secret, and you will never live down the shame.” Proverbs 25:9&10

There are very few times that someone will share their deepest thoughts with someone else. All couples would like to think they can share anything with their spouse, but there could be some misunderstanding, so they may not. All parents would like to think they exercise unconditional love to their children, but their kids may not share everything with them. Helping professionals hope they can be a safe place for their clients, but information may be held from them. Trust between people is built in small portions with others, but trust is destroyed in large measure.

The Bible spends much time discussing the importance of trust building. It starts in the home with child to parents. It extends to friends and the community as a whole. Why is this so important? Because as trust is built with one another, our deepest secrets will be risked with God; who should be the first one our trust is built but fear of eternal damnation is on our hearts. Instead of the way we do things, God should be the one we trust most. But if we trust others, who are not prefect by any means, then we can understand God sending his son to die and live so we will have eternal life.

If you hold any unresolved issues with a friend or neighbor, it is good to handle this in a civil manner. If misunderstandings continue, the tendency to share the secrets of others is great because we feel the relationship is beyond repair. If confidential information is shared out of anger and the issues are resolved, then the friendship is lost and your trust level is put to shame. If we can handle differences with others in a healthy manner, then how much more will we trust in God.

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