Contemplative Bible Reading

Ecclesiastes 10:20  (New Living Translation)

Never make light of the king, even in your thoughts.
And don’t make fun of the powerful, even in your own bedroom.
For a little bird might deliver your message
and tell them what you said.

When I say something, people will hear it; especially those people whom I never intend to hear it. Someone, perhaps a little bird, will deliver the message.

I have seen lives ruined by adults saying things about children (lazy, stupid, worthless, etc.) that the children were never supposed to hear. The children heard it and went about living their lives to show the adult was correct.

It doesn’t matter that the adult later quipped, “I was just kidding.” Don’t tell jokes about others. Jokes have a way of becoming serious, hurtful statements when they finally reached the ears of the unintended.

If I don’t say it, it will never be heard.

God, help me to control my tongue. Help me to control my thoughts. Help me to control my heart.