Handling Sensitive Material

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 11:1-14

“A talebearer reveals secrets,
But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.”—Proverbs 11:13

People who hold security clearances in the US government are placed in a position of trust to use sensitive information to accomplish a mission. Simultaneously, they are responsible for safeguarding that material from disclosure to those who could use the data to inflict grave and significant damage on the nation. Techniques for safeguarding sensitive material include reminders to share information only with those who are authorized access and have a need to know.

Those same guidelines are applicable when we have access to sensitive information about people. Whether as a result of their confidential disclosure to us or revelation through other sources, knowledge of someone’s personal affairs carries a responsibility to guard that information with discretion. It is akin to a loaded weapon that needs to be safeguarded to prevent intentional or unintentional discharge. In fact, the analogy to a weapon is appropriate. In the wrong hands, both the weapon and sensitive information can wound, injure, and destroy lives.

In “30 Days to Taming Your Tongue,” author Deborah Smith Pegues (www.confrontingissues.com) reminds the reader of the dangers of an indiscreet tongue—the person who betrays the trust of confidentiality and repeats sensitive information about others. Such indiscretions serve as the source of immense turmoil and alienation in families, work environments, houses of worship, and beyond. As Pegues notes, discretion is not a “cover up” but a “cover with.” Cover the person and their sensitive information with love, compassion, grace and discreet correction offered with honesty and humility.

Old security ads used phrases such as “Loose lips sink ships” and “What’s said here stays here” to remind us to safeguard information that could be used against those in harm’s way. That same logic applies to our personal lives. Our failure to properly manage sensitive material not only wounds those whose information we share, it becomes the basis for how we will be treated when it is our information that is the topic of discussion.  

Lesson to Remember: We don’t have to tell everything we know and everything that must be told doesn’t have to be told to everyone.

“Set a guard, O Lord, over my mouth;
Keep watch over the door of my lips.”—Psalm 141:3