Proverbs 11:13

The book of Proverbs gives us a lot of instruction on a lot of different subjects. One subject that can keep us in God’s wisdom is Godly Follower-ship. Who we follow; where we follow; how we follow are all spoken about in Proverbs. Here is one of them about gossip:

Proverbs 11:13 (NASV)

He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets,

But he who is trustworthy conceals a matter.

Proverbs 11:13 (NIV)

A gossip betrays a confidence,

but a trustworthy man keeps a secret.

Proverbs 11:13 (ESV)

13 Whoever goes about slandering reveals secrets,

but he who is trustworthy in spirit keeps a thing covered.

We live in a world where gossip is traded like money.   The Facebook was actually created to trade in the currency of gossip.   Tweeter accounts pass more gossip than creative and industrious thought.   The entire internet is base upon the premise that "information" sells.   In the above proverb we see the truth of what God values and what the world sells.  Trustworthy people are people who have a character of God.   They hold the matters they know in concealment.   They don't reveal what they have been entrusted with, despite the avenues available to share it.   The "talebearer" on the other hand reveals every secret they are entrusted with.   The remarkable thing is that the gossip continues to be entrusted with information.   They betray the confidence others put in them.   We know the value of someone by whether they can keep a secret ... if they can keep confidences.   Solomon wants us to know the truth of that true God-like character.  God's character is not found in gossip.  It is found in keeping truth and being trustworthy.  Note what Solomon will say in the next chapter:

Proverbs 12:23

A prudent man conceals knowledge,

but the heart of fools proclaims folly.

Just because we have knowledge does not mean we should share the knowledge we have.  There is a time to keep quiet about a thing.   Those who go about telling all they know are not “prudent,” says Solomon.   Solomon would be an authority on this.  He knew more than most ... more than anyone of his time, according to God’s Word:

1 Kings 4:29-30

And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt.

If the person God gave more wisdom to than anyone else tells us that, at times, it is prudent to not share all you know, than it is best to listen.   The person of no character can not be trusted to hold onto information.  The person who can be trusted is someone who knows when to share and when to be quiet.