How transparent should we be with non-Christians?

I rediscovered this verse a few weeks before I wrote about the Opening Principle:

“We have spoken openly to you, our heart is wide open… Now in return for the same… you also be open.” -2 Corinthians 6:11, 13

That’s encouraging transparency, but it continues:

“Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness?And what accord has Christ with Belial? Or what part has a believer with an unbeliever? -2 Corinthians 6:14-15

That’s when a big question hit me for anytime I’m opening up to someone:

“Am I sharing this with a Christian or not?”

And the followup questions to that…

“What difference does it make?”

“What difference should it make?”

The whole Opening Principle thing got me thinking about transparency. And based on the comments in that post, some of you are thinking about it too.

I’d always assumed my interaction with Christians would be different from my interaction with anyone else. It has to be – we know something amazing that others don’t.

But I’d not considered the full implications of verses like this on authenticity and transparency. According to those verses, doesn’t it seem like transparency shouldn’t happen with non-Christians?

That’s pretty strong.

I have a post coming about when saying too much becomes saying too much. In fact, this was part of it, but I thought I’d break off the discussion about our non-Christian interaction because it seems important enough to consider on its own. So for now…

What do you think about this?

Serving Suggestions:

(1) Is the passage really saying we’re not supposed to be as open with non-Christians? I think the answer to this question makes a big difference in our overall strategy for ministering to others.

(2) If yes to that first question, in what ways? All ways? With non-Christians, how much are we supposed to open up? I’ll jump into the comments with you in a bit, but I’d like your opinion first.