I still don’t know how my Mom found out. As a young boy I had done something I shouldn’t have done, but I didn’t worry. Mom would never find out, I thought. Wrong. She confronted me about it the very next day!
I got the nerve to ask her how she found out. “A birdie told me” was her reply. I still, to this day, do not know how she found out. I doubt, though, that some winged creature revealed it to her.
Solomon mentioned something like this in Ecclesiastes 10:20. What did he mean by “the winged creature will make the matter known”? Solomon was using an ancient saying that is still popular today. In using this expression, he revealed several important truths.
First, we must appreciate the speed of words. We often say that “good news travels fast,” but in this modern age of technology, news (good and bad) travels at speeds never before imagined. On my computer, I can talk with a friend in the Ukraine. My message is instantly received by him, and he responds immediately. Knowing, therefore, how quickly news gets out, we should choose our words carefully.
Second, we must appreciate the power of words. We can say anything—even in “confidence” (like our bedroom)—that can negatively affect us as well as others. Words do hurt, offend and kindle hard feelings. Therefore, it is vital that we guard what we say at all times—even in situations where we believe none will ever figure out what we said. Paul said that our speech should “always” be with grace (Colossians 4:6). He told the Ephesians to “let no unwholesome word proceed out of your month” (Ephesians 4:29). No qualifiers are allowed. There is no room for any words that are critical, derogatory or that might be classified as gossip.
Third, we must appreciate the appropriateness of words. Again, we’re reminded of Paul’s admonition to “consider how we ought to respond to every person” (Colossians 4:6). In Solomon’s example, a person wanted to “curse” both a king and a rich man. What the king and the rich man did to provoke this curse is not stated. Let’s assume that they did something terrible, thus eliciting such a response from the man. Yet, here is the point. Even though they may deserve the curse, it still shouldn’t be given—even by one in private. We should develop the quality of being “slow to speak” and “slow to anger” (James 1:19). Is it ever appropriate to curse someone? To speak evil of someone? No! Solomon was warning about inappropriateness of such words, even when spoken in private.
Fourth, we must appreciate the danger of words. A few verses earlier, Solomon warned that “the lips of the fool consume him” (10:12). What would happen if the king and the rich man discovered what was said? It is assumed that it would not be good for the one who uttered the foolish curse. Jesus warned that if one cannot control his angry words, he will get what he deserves (Matthew 5:21-26).
So, what is the practical lesson to be learned? We must learn to control our tongues! James spent considerable time making this very point in his epistle (James 3). May we always exercise wisdom with our words, not only in what we say but where we say them.
