Keeping secrets

We were taught to sing this song at Sunday school, years ago:

…O be careful little ears what you hear…

And,

…O be careful little eyes what you see….

As it turns out, curiosity still kills the cat (Or at least leaves it marked for life).

Either that, or the truth can sometimes become a cross that’s not that easy to bear.

Because –

Sometimes you just can’t reveal what you know, for the sake of living peaceably with all men.

At other times, you don’t know what to do with the truth because you don’t even fully comprehend it.

Then there’s those other times when you truly believe you need to unsee what you’ve seen, and unhear what you’ve heard, or life would never be the same again for you (You would have been marked for life). It’s in these times that the song from Sunday school years ago comes back, as if to say, “You should have known better than being such a meddler!”

But our intentions for seeking the truth about situations around us are for nobler reasons (Most of the time, at least!)

We want to know exactly what we’re up against.

We want to know exactly what it is we should be doing.

We want to know exactly how we should be praying and believing….

So we start looking, asking questions, and coming up with ways to find out what we think we need to know.

And then we happen upon knowledge we can’t reveal.

Then we begin to act, based on what we know, but can’t share.

And then everybody else thinks there’s something really wrong with you.

And the fact just grates on your nerves because you’re carrying this burden, trying to keep the peace, and they don’t even appreciate your sacrifice!

It’s a hard place to be in, but there’s hope, because Jesus is still calling for us to cast our cares on Him, and give our burdens to Him.

He is still the Prince of peace.

He is still our Counsellor, giving wisdom, and helping us resolve situations that threaten to undo our relationships.

So be careful little ears what you hear, and be careful little eyes what you see….

But if you’ve heard and seen, and the truth has become a burden to you, remember that you can always come to Jesus, and you would receive grace–

Grace that you’d need to let overflow to others who might be struggling under the weight of the truth they too have found.

Like the preacher would say–

“Come to Jesus just as you are, and don’t be a stumbling block to your brother”.


This post may be linked up with these encouraging writers.

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38 thoughts on “Keeping secrets”

  1. Boma, I smiled as I read this because there are times a friend would want to share a secret with me and I’d block my ears. Then I’d warn them, don’t tell me anything you’d want me to lie about. A bit silly but I really don’t like being caught up in webs and would rather avoid being put in a compromising position. So, yes, I appreciate the points you made! 🙂

    Reply
    • Don’t tell me anything you’d want me to lie about! I might have to borrow that line, Marva. Thanks for visiting. Blessings to you.

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  2. He really does take our burdens when we cast them onto Him. The truth really can be burdensome but since sin thrives in the darkness of secrecy it’s always so much better to get it out. Thanks for the encouragement!

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    • Sin does thrive in the secrecy of darkness, and this is definitely something to keep in mind. Thanks for visiting, Paul. Blessings to you.

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  3. This is so good and reminds me of the importance — and difficulty — of maintaining TRUE confidentiality, because not only are we supposed to keep our mouths closed about a secret, but we are also supposed to behave as if we don’t have a secret. If we can’t become that kind of a vault for our friends, we should not receive their confidences.

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    • Exactly! A lot of difficult situations could be avoided, if we’d just let them know from the beginning whether or not we can be that kind of vault for them. Thanks for visiting, Michele. Blessings to you.

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  4. Fresh, insight. And I think every human on the planet struggles with this dilemma at some point. The old adage, “What you don’t know can’t hurt you.” Well, it’s not true. Sometimes…many times…not knowing will hurt us. May we rightly discern when to keep a confidence and when to share the knowledge and truth. Thanks for sharing!

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  5. I needed to read this post today! I am in a family situation where I know more than I am comfortable with. Thank you for reminding me where to go with this burden!

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  6. You are correct, there are “those other times when you truly believe you need to unsee what you’ve seen, and unhear what you’ve heard, or life would never be the same again for you (You would have been marked for life).” I’m reminded of Adam and Eve when they ate from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. Before they ate it, they only knew good. But afterward, they knew evil too. And sadly so do we. Good insights, Boma.

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  7. I definitely carry around a lot of information I cannot share. I often share with friends and mentors I trust but who are far removed from the person or situation. I love the reminder that Jesus is our Prince of Peace.

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  8. “But if you’ve heard and seen, and the truth has become a burden to you, remember that you can always come to Jesus, and you would receive grace–” AMEN Thanks for these words, Boma! Blessings to you and thanks for linking up with us at the #LMMLinkup!

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  9. Well said.
    Gossip is so often not intended (as secret-telling isn’t). It can be so hard to know how to handle others’ situations wisely.
    I appreciate your words here.

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    • So true, Susan. But we’re blessed to have access to wisdom that can only come from God. Thanks for visiting. Blessings to you.

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  10. Dear Boma!

    Keep up the good work! The Proverbs have many places where they say the tongue is our strongest weapon.

    We can always come to Him with everything.

    God bless, Edna Davidsen

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  11. Mmmm… lots of hard truth here, Boma! I don’t want to be responsible for anyone else’s burdens. My own are heavy than I care to carry. Thank you Jesus for taking my burdens from me! Blessings, friend!

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  12. Dear Boma, thank you for this beautiful word in due season! My young colleague has gifted me with her trust of several life-changing events recently. Some days it feels more like burden than blessing. I needed this reminder to turn it all over to Jesus. Blessings, Sweet Woman of God!

    Reply

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