What does the Bible say about keeping a confidence?
Bible Topic · WEB
The Bible commends faithful discretion, teaching God’s people to guard entrusted matters, restrain harmful speech, and pursue peace without concealing sin or injustice. Proverbs 11:13 and 20:19 contrast the trustworthy person with the gossip who betrays confidences, while Proverbs 25:9 urges settling disputes without revealing another’s secret. Proverbs 17:9 praises love that covers an offense rather than repeatedly exposing it. Believers should therefore pray for guarded lips, as Psalm 141:3 teaches, and speak only what builds others up, according to Ephesians 4:29. Yet discretion is not a license to hide wrongdoing; love, truth, and proper accountability must govern our words before God.
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Rankings: OpenBible.info Topical Bible (CC BY) · Scripture: World English Bible
- Proverbs 11:13
One who brings gossip betrays a confidence, But one who is of a trustworthy spirit is one who keeps a secret.
- Proverbs 20:19
He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; Therefore don't keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
- Proverbs 25:9
Debate your case with your neighbor, And don't betray the confidence of another;
- Proverbs 17:9
He who covers an offense promotes love; But he who repeats a matter separates best friends.
- Leviticus 19:16
"'You shall not go up and down as a slanderer among your people; neither shall you stand against the life of your neighbor. I am Yahweh.
- Psalms 141:3
Set a watch, Yahweh, before my mouth. Keep the door of my lips.
- Ephesians 4:29
Let no corrupt speech proceed out of your mouth, but such as is good for building up as the need may be, that it may give grace to those who hear.
- Proverbs 21:23
Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue Keeps his soul from troubles.
- 1 Timothy 5:13
Besides, they also learn to be idle, going about from house to house. Not only idle, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.
- Proverbs 10:19
In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, But he who restrains his lips does wisely.
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