TRUSTWORTHY FRIENDS

PASTOR RYAN LADEN – DEVOTIONALS

IF YOU LIKE THIS POST PLEASE FOLLOW US, SHARE WITH OTHERS AND PLEASE LEAVE YOUR COMMENTS AND GIVE US A LIKE.

Translate this site into your preferred language, look for our Google translator in our home page: diningwithjesus.net

Traduce este sitio en tu idioma preferido, busca nuestro traductor de Google en nuestra página de inicio ve a: diningwithjesus.net

Every relationship that is more than skin deep depends on trust for its very survival. If we want to grow a real relationship or friendship, we must allow the other person to have access to that part of us that is not for the public. This kind of authenticity and openness can only exist where there is a shared level of trust. Trust is an essential element for the growth and development of real, God-honoring friendships. 

One of the ways we can develop, and destroy, trust in a friendship is through our failure to keep the confidence of those who have shared of themselves in ways that they do not want known outside of our friendship. 

In the book of Proverbs, we find a wide variety of teachings that call the child of God to seek to become someone who can be trusted. Below you will find three passages from Proverbs that all ring the bell of trust. 

13 A gossip goes around telling secrets, but those who are trustworthy can keep a confidence.

(Proverbs 11:13 NIV11) 

Known

Would you want to be known as a gossip? It does not need like a good title to wear. I have never seen anyone driving around town with a, “My child is a gossip” sticker. It would seem that we are instinctually weary of those who can be accurately described as being a gossip. 

Trustworthy

To become someone who is worthy of trust, worthy of being one with whom others might share their confidence, we must learn the value of keeping a confidence. 

What does it mean to hold onto someone else’s confidential information? It means that we choose to not share what was meant only for us. If someone gives you a piece of news, or shares with you the reality of their situation, and if this information was shared with you because you are considered to be trustworthy, then the worst thing you could do would be to violate this trust as you share this knowledge without consent. 

Point

The stark truth being presented here is that if you want to have God-honoring friendships, then don’t be a gossip! 

If you struggle to know what is shareable versus that which was intended to be confidential, then just hold on to all of it. What is there to gain by breaking trust over the sharing of a personal story or juicy detail told to you in confidence?

9 Whoever would foster love covers over an offense, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.

(Proverbs 17:9 NIV11)

Foster love

A God-honoring friend is one who fosters love. Such a friend seeks to build up their friends, not to tear them down. A loving friend seeks the benefit of others. 

One of the ways that we can foster love in a friendship is to choose not to prosecute every infraction in a relationship. This is what is meant by covering over an offense. 

•   We do not need to be right all the time. 
•   We do not need others to see us as perfect. 
•   We do not need to bend others to our will. 

Loving friends let the little stuff go for the good of the friendship. 

Give it a try, you might just like living with less drama in your life. 

19 A gossip betrays a confidence; so avoid anyone who talks too much.

(Proverbs 20:19 NIV11)

Betrayal

When we share with others that which was shared with us in confidence, we betray our friend, we betray our reputations, and ultimately, we betray the Lord who calls us to love and connection with other believers in Christ.

Avoid

Who runs the most risk of acting as a gossip? Those who cannot regulate their own speech. In this proverb we are called to see the early warning signs of gossip and take evasive maneuvers. 

Check yourself

Below are a few lines that, if heard coming from your own mouth, ought to cause you to examine yourself more closely for the tell-tale signs of gossip:

•   I probably shouldn’t tell you this but…
•   This might sound harsh but…
•   Look, she probably wouldn’t want me to say this but…
•   Keep this between you and me but I heard that…

You get the picture. If you want to build better, more faithful, more God-honoring friendships, then we need to attack all forms of gossip that might arise in our hearts. 

If you want friends you can trust, become trustworthy yourself!

In Christ, 

Ryan Laden

PASTOR RYAN LADEN

Senior Pastor at PARK HILL BAPTIST CHURCH

Worked at MTN. CHURCH

Former Senior pastor at Warnbro Community Church

Studies at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary

Studied at Baylor University

Studied at Texas Tech University

Went to Castle Hills First Baptist

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox. Please Enter your email address in the box below.

• ShareCopied to clipboard

Copyright © 2024 Ryan Laden – All Rights Reserved.