Is it okay to keep secrets from my friends?
"Don’t let any evil talk come out of your mouths. Say only what will help to build others up and meet their needs. Then what you say will help those who listen" (Ephesians 4:29).
"He [God] knows the secrets of our hearts" (Psalm 44:21).
It depends on what the secret is about.Keeping secrets is often okay, especially fun ones about birthday presents or surprises. You don’t have to tell everyone everything just because they ask you about something—you can tell them some information and still be truthful. For example, you could tell a stranger that your parents can’t come to the phone, but you don’t have to say that your parents aren’t home; that wouldn’t be safe.
However, keeping secrets is wrong if it means someone else could get hurt or get into big trouble. For example, if you know that a kid says he’s going to beat someone up or steal something, then that’s a secret you should tell to an adult who can help. Parents, teachers, coaches, pastors, Sunday school teachers, and school counselors are all good people to get help from if you know a dangerous secret. Don’t agree to keep secrets from your parents.
Some kids like to make up secrets or tell secret stories to each other to make other kids jealous or mad. Stay away from kids like that and don’t listen to them if they say they know a secret about you. These kinds of secrets only hurt other kids.
