- Mark 3:12, Jesus asked for confidentiality
- Mark 7:36, Jesus ORDERED the people not to tell
- Matt 8:4, Jesus stated “do not tell”
- 1 Thess 4:11, Mind your own affairs
- Prov 11:13, Do not betray a confidence
- Luke 5:14-16, Jesus commanded “see that you do not tell”
- Luke 12:2-3, Keeping secrets
- Prov 12:23, Prudent people conceal knowledge, fools reveal
- Prov 17:9, Cover offenses between CLOSE friends
Here are a few scriptures that will help understand this discussion as it relates to relationships. Also, look at the situations in which Jesus met the 12, the three, and how he handled private conversations. Nicodemus could have been killed had his situation been made public at the time he met with Jesus in the night. Jesus HELD THAT within himself.
There are many scriptures and situations in scripture that address confidentiality vs. privacy vs. secrets vs. transparency. May it be your journey to explore them through Bible study.
Defining Privacy
Jesus was a private person with a public ministry. He honored confidentiality, despised unnecessary secrecy, lived transparently and protected others (and himself) in private settings.
PRIVACY is the concept of leading a normal life without having the most intimate and personal details of your life on public display or put on blast. It is living life within the boundaries of trust within certain relationships where “trust worthiness” has been earned and honored.
There are no suspicions or paranoia here. Instead, there are freedoms and populations of people who respect you enough to give and maintain your privacy based on friendship, respect and love. Privacy is the action of sharing one’s personal information within A CIRCLE OF TRUST.
So if a person or group is not intimate to your life or deemed trustworthy, certain intel concerning you is none of their concern.
Jesus understood privacy, and walked it out in ALL of his relationships. He found safety among friends… not random people. Confidentiality rests here.
John 2:23-25, “Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. But Jesus would not entrust himself to them, for he knew all people. He did not need any testimony about mankind, for he knew what was in each person.” (Check out, Keep Your Word To Yourself)
Defining Secrecy
SECRECY is the deliberate or intentional act of hiding or concealing something in relationships. People are free to do this… but it becomes evil if the intention of doing so is rooted in some sort of cover-up or other deception. In this case, It is NOT THE SAME as privacy. (NOTE that too much privacy can become secrecy depending on the situation.)
Secrecy IS THE WITHHOLDING of information, details or insight THAT COULD BE HELPFUL in making informed decisions or choices in relational settings. Secrets COVER UP, ELUDE, HIDE “TRUTH” with the intent of deception, manipulation or hidden offense.
Judges 16:4-22 is an example of secrets. So is the story of Jesus and Judas and many others in the Bible.
Defining Transparency
TRANSPARENCY is defined as openness in relationships where trust and/or friendship is extended to possible vulnerable areas. It is often situational and has levels. For example, having transparency within an organization is not the same as having transparency within a marriage or friendship.
Transparency means nothing is hidden or that THERE ARE NO SECRETS! While this word is used loosely in our day, it IS NOT ABOUT SPILLING YOUR GUTS AND PLACING YOUR BUSINESS ON PUBLIC BLAST! That’s an immature view of this word use.
Transparency is tailored to honesty, openness in the right setting. It is meeting one another in direct truth, even necessary confrontation if needed.
Transparency is about risking one’s heart for relationships in some circumstances by “putting truthfulness” at the forefront.
It is bringing the kind of relational clarity that leaves no ambiguity in real relationship or intention. Transparency makes no room for SECRECY but it DEMANDS CONFIDENTIALITY & AND THRIVES IN HUMILITY!
James 5:16a, Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another….
Prov 25:9, Argue your case with your neighbor himself, and do not reveal another’s secret….
Defining Confidentiality
CONFIDENTIALITY is a decision NOT TO SLANDER or gossip based on a confidence. It is a concept surrounding discretion, safety and protection. The “idea” of confidentiality is based on holding a vulnerable or transparent moment privately between YOU and the requester of the confidence.
This could be from an organizational perspective or that involving individuals. And the confidence could be a secret or private matter. In addition, trust MAY OR MAY NOT be a part of the equation.
Confidences can cross into the negative side of secrecy if the confidence impacts other people or manipulates certain circumstances. (Prov 11:13, Prov 17:9, Prov 20:19, Tit 1:2)
Personally, I have navigated all of these waters – on both sides in my life… and not always in the correct place. Thank God for maturity!
Today, I think I have a better handle on these areas than I used too. I wanted to share this to help some who might be struggling. Feel free to add to these definitions, expound on them in the comments. This is just my view.
(Originally posted April 9, 2021)
