Proverbs 11:13
Every community has a local gossip. They know all the dirty little secrets of everyone in the area. Unfortunately, they don't just know but share these secrets with others. It often frustrates me to deal such people. They want to know all of the details and have no respect in asking probing questions about areas that are none of their business. I used to try and be polite to the individual - show them Christian love by smiling and talking "around" the situation without providing any concrete information. Of late, I have adopted the attitude that is they have the audacity to ask such personal questions, I have the audacity to respond in a blunt manner that lets them know it is none of their business.
Solomon doesn't tell us that we should not be aware of embarrassing or personal situations. But he does direct us to conceal the matter - not advertise to everyone we know. We have all been impacted by an embarrassing event that spread like wildfire through the community. And we all know how much grief and anxiety is causes us when we are aware that others know our situation. Is this the way of sharing Christian love by sharing gossip? No, we are all appreciative when other who may or may not know of our situation respects our privacy.
While it may be enticing to be the center of attention while we share the juicy gossip. We should resist the temptation to be labeled as an unfaithful spirit like above. Just as Jesus is faithful not to expose our sins and weaknesses to those around us, we should be faithful to others by not revealing all that we know?
