Rules Of A Godly Life: Part 2: Rule 5

"Confide to no one your personal secrets unless you have beforehand found him to be worthy of your trust.  Here is one way to prove him and learn to know him well:  confide to him some secret of small importance; if he keeps it to himself it is an indication of his trustworthiness.  However, it is not wise to inform any friends carelessly of all your secrets.  There is a possibility that at some later time you may have sharp differences and then he may use his knowledge to your harm."

This rule reminds me of the Words of Jesus recorded in the Gospel of John, Chapter 15:9-17 KJV
9: As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you:  continue ye in my love.
10: If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
11: These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
12: This is my commandment that ye love one another, as I have loved you.
13:  Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.
14:  Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you.
15:  Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth:  but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you.
16:  Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain:  that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.
17:  These things I command you, that ye love one another.




Also, I am reminded of the Words of Jesus as recorded in the Gospel penned by Matthew in chapter 13, verses 10-12 KJV.


10: And the disciples came, and said unto him, Why speakest thou unto them in parables?
11: He answered and said unto them, Because it is given unto you to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it is not given.
12: For whosoever hath, to him shall be given, and he shall have more abundance:  But whosoever hath not, from him shall be taken away even that he hath.

Rules Of Godly Living: Part 2: Rule 4

"Be not too ready to believe everything you hear, and do not repeat everything you hear, lest in this way you lose a friend and gain an enemy. When you hear complaint or gossip about another, thoroughly investigate the actual circumstances before offering your criticism or passing your opinion."

Rules Of Godly Living: Part 2: Rule 3

"Be especially diligent to keep free from the vulgar thoughtless habit of swearing and the profane use of the holy name of God. It is indisputable evidence of a frivolous, impious, and ungodly character. It is also true that he who seeks with oaths to add strength and truth to his words is seldom a man of integrity; for if he has no scruples against misusing God's name, why should one suppose that he has any conscience against lying? "But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil" (Matt. 5:37). And that you might the better avoid profaneness, seek not the companionship of the profane, where you, too, may through familiarity fall into the habit. Rebuke a friend for profaneness, if he accepts it; if not, there is no gain in rebuking. See Proverbs 9:8."