What Are You Doing with the Information That People Trust You With?

When someone confides in you, how do you handle it? Do you guard their words with wisdom, or do you run and share their business with others?

Being trustworthy is a character trait of integrity. If you want to have good friends, you need to be a good friend—and that starts with how you handle what people share with you.

Four Ways People Handle Confided Information

1. Do You Gossip About It?

• Do you tell others what was shared with you in confidence?

• Do you twist or exaggerate the story for attention?

• Do you act like you’re “concerned” while secretly spreading their business?

Proverbs 16:28 – “A perverse person stirs up conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.”

→ Gossip destroys relationships. If you can’t be trusted, don’t expect deep friendships.

2. Do You Take It to God?

• Do you pray for the person instead of talking about them?

• Do you ask God for wisdom on how to help them?

• Do you intercede for them in private without making it about yourself?

Galatians 6:2 – “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

→ A real friend takes things to God before taking them to anyone else.

3. Do You Just Keep It to Yourself?

• Do you hold on to what they told you without telling anyone?

• Do you respect their privacy even when it’s hard?

• Do you know that sometimes, the best thing you can do is just listen?

Proverbs 11:13 – “A gossip betrays a confidence, but a trustworthy person keeps a secret.”

→ Being a safe place for others is a sign of maturity and wisdom.

4. Do You Offer Wise Counsel?

• If they ask for advice, do you give godly wisdom?

• Do you help rather than judge?

• Do you encourage them to seek God for direction?

Proverbs 27:9 – “The heartfelt counsel of a friend is as sweet as perfume and incense.”

→ A good friend offers wisdom without spreading drama.

Be the Friend You Want to Have

If you want strong, trustworthy friendships, you need to be a trustworthy person.

• Don’t gossip.

• Pray for your friends.

• Be a safe space.

• Offer wise counsel when needed.

Friendship is a gift, but trust is earned. Let’s be the kind of friends that others can trust without fear.