Just because we have information about someone does not mean we should share it.

Knowing it is not reason enough for saying it…

Sometimes we know things, but knowing stuff is not reason enough alone to say it, especially when it comes to talking about people.

“Whoever belittles his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding remains silent.” (Proverbs 11:12 ESV)

We might know of something a neighbor or co-worker or friend – or anyone! – does or did or said, but we don’t have to report that to whoever is listening. We don’t have to tell it.

We can choose to leave the information or situation in our minds without ever opening our mouths about it. We often prove that we have understanding just by being silent. Sure, we love to talk. Some of us don’t necessarily love to talk, but we love to hear. We don’t have to say it, nor do we have to listen to it. We can choose silence. We do not need to tell everything we know; we do not need to diminish people in other people’s thinking.

We can be people of understanding.