How Do You Build Trust in Friendships?
By Rick Warren
“No one who gossips can be trusted ... but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy” (Proverbs 11:13 TEV).
If you want to build great friendships, you’ve got to earn people’s trust. Trust is what makes the difference between an acquaintance and a friend. You talk to acquaintances, but you trust your friends.
Everybody needs one person in their life about whom they can say, “That person is safe. I can share anything with that person. They’re not going to look at me crossways. They’re not going to reject me. They’re not going to dump me. They’re going to be there.” You need a safe person who you can share everything with — your fears, the worst things you feel about yourself, and your doubts. It’s essential that what is said between you and that person remains confidential.
If you really want people to trust you, you cannot be a gossip. And if you’re wondering why you don’t have any deep relationships, it may be because you are a gossip. So nobody trusts you!
Did you know that God hates gossip? In fact it’s right up there with murder. We don’t think gossip is a big deal. But it’s a big deal to God!
The Bible says that you build trust in a friendship by keeping confidences:“No one who gossips can be trusted ... but you can put confidence in someone who is trustworthy” (Proverbs 11:13 TEV).
Trust takes years to build and can be lost in one second of gossip. If you want to have deep friendships, you’re going to have to zip it on gossip. Just determine not to gossip any more. If you won’t make that commitment, you’re never going to have your deepest friendships, because people will be shallow and superficial with you.
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Talk It Over
- Would your friends describe you as a trustworthy person? Why or why not?
- What can you determine about the person who gossips to you?
- How should you respond when someone initiates gossip with you?
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This devotional © 2016 by Rick Warren. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
You can also listen to Rick Warren on OnePlace.com.