If you and your neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves and do not reveal any secrets.
Proverbs 25:9 GNT
The best relationships disagree, debate, argue, and yes even fight. Two different people with different backgrounds, beliefs, and views will not always see eye to eye on everything.
Some years ago, the famous Judge Mathis featured two sisters in court arguing over money, and in the opening arguments one sister (the plaintiff) begins telling the judge how much she loves her sister (the defendant), and after declaring her love immediately launched into sharing all of her sister’s dirty laundry and personal secrets. No one, not the judge, bailiff, courtroom audience, and millions watching on television screens should have been privy to those intimate details between two sisters.
At the end of the show, the sister (the defendant) who lost the case said, “My sister didn’t have to bring me to court; we could have worked it out amongst ourselves. I will always love my sister, but I will never forgive her.” Their relationship ended that day. How tragic and sad!
Exposing private information about a person is to rape their reputation. It is a serious offense. The Bible says, “If you and a neighbor have a difference of opinion, settle it between yourselves, and do not reveal any secrets.”
Did she have to take her sister to court? Perhaps she did. But, did she have to tell years of hurtful and private information to the Judge? Absolutely not!
Read God’s remedy one more time from The Expanded Bible:
If you have an argument with [Make your accusations against] your neighbor,
don’t tell other people what was said [keep it a secret from others].
Can you be trusted with other people’s treasure? What about other people’s trash? You prove your character by what you are able to keep. So check your virtue, because only foolish and wicked people have no regard for the character or reputations of others.
Proverbs 20:19 (ERV) says:
“You cannot trust someone who would talk about things told in private. So don’t be friends with someone who talks too much.”
Pray with me…
Lord, help me to be a person of integrity. Help me to guard the treasures and trash that others share with me, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Amen Sherry that was good food for the SOUL!!!
Absolutely awesome and much needed. Thanks for sharing.
Amen, awesome illustration about how we should settle differences.
Integrity. Character, Value…yes yes yes! This was so good.
Wowee Sister First Lady, this was awesome.
That’s my baby! These are words to live by!
Sherry, this was an Awesome illustration. Thanks for the reminder of how to settle our difference.