Have you ever had someone tell you that? I'm sure we all have, more times than we can count. But of those times, can we say for sure that whatever it was remained confidential?
An experience I had a few years back has made me very wary of those who approach me with that "promise." In this case, the person went so far as to say, "this is between you, me AND Jesus." I look back on that and have to chuckle. I chuckle because I felt they were stretching the truth - well, straight up lying - when they said it. Before the year was out, I had very clear evidence that my first suspicions were correct. And the truth is always revealed in the most unexpected ways, isn't it? Thankfully, this particular experience wasn't detrimental to me in any way, but it did expose the character of the one who claimed to be a person of their word.
By God's grace and power, I strive to be a person of my word. And when someone comes to me with a matter in confidence - first, they know I'll keep it, and pray with and for them. On the other hand, if and when people try to bring me gossip, or tell me "I shouldn't be telling you this, but..." - I let them know immediately, that I don't want to know. In this way I establish myself as one who won't listen to or carry tales about other people.
I wasn't always like this. Back in the day I had a big mouth and a wild imagination. I'd tell it...maybe in my immature attempt to gain popularity; be in "the know." Or maybe simply because I didn't know the hurt my words would cause. Thank God I know better now. And as they say, "when you know better, you do better."
There are very few people I know I can trust with my most delicate things, and vice versa. And I thank the Lord for them. My husband is at the top of my list of human beings. When we share with one another, we don't need to preface our communication with "just between you and me." And because these dear ones are also my prayer partners, we KNOW the matter is covered by the Lord, in the Lord, with the Lord's will as our ultimate desire.
God places His people in strategic positions in our lives. Let us be discerning as we engage with one another. The Holy Spirit will identify a brother and sister who can join forces with you in this spiritual battle. Be careful of those who approach you with gossip and not words of healing, on their tongues. And by all means, think twice about someone who leads with "this is just between you and me." It's probably a false statement.
Just sayin...
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That's an interesting thought. come to think of it, I get that too from various friends and or associates and almost immediatly after they say
ReplyDelete"Now this is between you and me and Jesus" I want to say let's leave Jesus out of it,because whatever it is your'e going to say,i'm most confident HE wants nothing to do with!
We've come to the point (speaking of humans) that we use such phrases so lightly, that we aren't even thinking of what we are really doing or saying especially when we use Gods name.Wouldn't phrases of this nature constitute taking the lord's name in vein? I pray that I guard carefully what I say. I have grown to the point thankfully, where gossip just doesn't interest me anymore.Not even listening to it. the Good lord has given me so many other challenges in My life , that I just don't have time to entertain such things.for this I am thankful.There was a time were I would sit back and not only listen but throw my 2 cents in (which looking back was mostly worthless)only to find myself in the middle of some drama,that had I have kept My mouth shut, I would have never gotten envolved.
But it's those same people that say just between you me and jesus that go back and talk about what YOU(I) had to say(probably using the same preface) and it all winds up getting blown way out of proportion.My mantra as far as gossip is concerned is:STAY OUT OF THE PICTURE AND I WON"T GET FRAMED!!!
Amen to all that you've shared, Dustinthewynn!! I like your mantra, as well! It's just wise to stay out of drama, especially if we call ourselves believers/followers of Christ. If our words aren't for healing or edifying, then we ought to keep our mouths shut! Thank you for your comment. I pray your words will resonate in the hearts of others, as they have in mine!
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