“Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king, nor in your bedroom curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry your voice, or some winged creature tell the matter.” – Ecclesiastes 10:20
Today’s verse may have given birth to the phrase, “A little birdie told me so.” The writer of Ecclesiastes gives a comical image of a bird not only carrying spoken criticism but private thoughts as well. Apparently, he warns about criticizing a king or rich person, because they can come back and destroy you. The Bible not only warns about criticizing those who have power to make your life miserable but gossiping in general. “You shall not go around as a slanderer among your people, and you shall not stand up against the life of your neighbor: I am the Lord” (Leviticus 19:16).
How many times have you been hurt by someone saying unkind words about you? Be very careful of how you speak. Your words can cause damage to reputations and relationships. “Whoever covers an offense seeks love, but he who repeats a matter separates close friends” (Proverbs 17:9). Instead, let your thoughts turn to prayers for someone who you’re tempted to criticize. A good rule of thumb is not to say anything behind someone’s back that you wouldn’t say to them face to face.
In today’s political climate it’s easy to whine about a person’s behavior. Instead, use your words to help and heal. However, honest communication is sometimes tough. For instance, Jesus told the Scribes and Pharisees they were like whitewashed tombs full of dead men’s bones. (Matthew 23:27) Pray for God to heal the nation of its divisions and to give leaders godly solutions to difficult issues they deal with each day.
Today’s Verse: Ecclesiastes 10:20
Even in your thoughts, do not curse the king,
nor in your bedroom curse the rich,
for a bird of the air will carry your voice,
or some winged creature tell the matter.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Recommended for further reading: Ephesians 4:17-32
17 Now this I say and testify in the Lord, that you must no longer walk as the Gentiles do, in the futility of their minds. 18 They are darkened in their understanding, alienated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them, due to their hardness of heart. 19 They have become callous and have given themselves up to sensuality, greedy to practice every kind of impurity. 20 But that is not the way you learned Christ!— 21 assuming that you have heard about him and were taught in him, as the truth is in Jesus, 22 to put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, 23 and to be renewed in the spirit of your minds, 24 and to put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.
25 Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another. 26 Be angry and do not sin; do not let the sun go down on your anger, 27 and give no opportunity to the devil. 28 Let the thief no longer steal, but rather let him labor, doing honest work with his own hands, so that he may have something to share with anyone in need. 29 Let no corrupting talk come out of your mouths, but only such as is good for building up, as fits the occasion, that it may give grace to those who hear. 30 And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. 31 Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice. 32 Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.
All Scripture quotations and audio are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
