Growing with God: A daily devotional with Tonia Slimm.
Ecclesiastes 10:20 (NIV)
Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom,
because a bird in the sky may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.
Ecclesiastes 10:20 (MSG)
Don’t bad-mouth your leaders, not even under your breath, and don’t abuse your betters, even in the privacy of your home. Loose talk has a way of getting picked up and spread around. Little birds drop the crumbs of your gossip far and wide.
**************************************************
“Moreover, do not curse the king, even in your bedroom, and in your sleeping rooms do not curse the rich, for a bird of the air will carry the sound and a winged creature will make the matter known.” -AMPLIFIED
“Do not permit thyself even to think evil of the king; lest thy tongue at some time give vent to thy thoughts, and so thou be chargeable with treason.” ~Adam Clarke Commentary
There is an old adage that says, “The walls have ears.” What this idiom means to convey to us is that we need to be careful of what we say because someone might overhear us and the words that we speak aloud may come back to hurt us.
“You shall not blaspheme God, nor curse government officials—your judges and your rulers.” ~God (Exodus 22:28 VOICE)
“Don’t curse the king in your thoughts or demean the rich even in private. If you do, a little bird or other winged creature overhead might overhear and wing your words and report what you said to those in power.” -(VOICE)
The Teacher advises us to be respectful of our rulers/leaders. Do not curse them or speak disrespectfully of them; for if we do so it those words may come back and hurt us. (Remember, the walls have ears.)
The Message Version explains the Teacher’s implications so well that even the most senseless person can understand: “Loose talk has a way of getting picked up and spread around.”
“Never curse the king, not even in your thoughts, nor the rich man, either; for a little bird will tell them what you’ve said.” -(TLB)
The Apostle Paul took the Roman church to task for feeling that they did not need to accept the authority of the government. Paul told them, in no uncertain terms, that they needed to not only submit to, but respect the government that God had put into place; for if they disobeyed and resisted against the government they were disobeying and resisting God. Take note:
“It is important that all of us submit to the authorities who have charge over us because God establishes all authority in heaven and on the earth. Therefore, a person who rebels against authority rebels against the order He established, and people like that can expect to face certain judgment. You see, if you do the right thing, you have nothing to be worried about from the rulers; but if you do what you know is wrong, the rulers will make sure you pay a price. Would you not rather live with a clear conscience than always have to be looking over your shoulder? Then keep doing what you know to be good and right, and they will publicly honor you. Look at it this way: The ruler is a servant of God called to serve and benefit you. But he is also a servant of God executing wrath upon those who practice evil. If you do what is wrong, then you’d better be afraid because he wields the power of the sword and doesn’t make empty threats. So submission is not optional; it’s required. But don’t just submit for the sake of avoiding punishment; submit and abide by the laws because your conscience leads you to do the right thing.” -Romans 13:1-5 (VOICE)
Peter also addressed the need to submit to and respect authority. Writing to the church at large Peter advised them in this way:
“Submit yourselves to [the authority of] every human institution for the sake of the Lord [to honor His name], whether it is to a king as one in a position of power, or to governors as sent by him to bring punishment to those who do wrong, and to praise and encourage those who do right. For it is the will of God that by doing right you may silence (muzzle, gag) the [culpable] ignorance and irresponsible criticisms of foolish people. Live as free people, but do not use your freedom as a cover or pretext for evil, but [use it and live] as bond-servants of God. Show respect for all people [treat them honorably], love the brotherhood [of believers], fear God, honor the king.” -1 Peter 2:13-17 (AMP)
Harking back to what the Teacher has told us in today’s text, it is important that we learn to be careful of how we think about our leadership. We often get into the habit of allowing our thoughts to run rampant, because we think that no one will know, but guess what….our thoughts have a tendency to eventually come out in our attitude, actions and yes, even our words.
Solomon taught us this:
“A man’s [moral] self shall be filled with the fruit of his mouth; and with the consequence of his words he must be satisfied [whether good or evil].” -Proverbs 18:20 (AMPC)
The Apostle Paul reminds us of this:
“Do not allow this world to mold you in its own image. Instead, be transformed from the inside out by renewing your mind. As a result, you will be able to discern what God wills and whatever God finds good, pleasing, and complete.” -Romans 12:2 (VOICE)
This advice that the Teacher has given us is a reminder to me of that little song we would sing as children, “Oh be careful little mouth what you say; for the Father up above is looking down in love. So be careful little mouth what you say.” We need to also be careful of what we are thinking about those people whom God has placed in authority over us. Are we honor and respect them; for God has placed them in authority over us.
“Pay everyone whatever he ought to have: pay your taxes and import duties gladly, obey those over you, and give honor and respect to all those to whom it is due.” -Romans 13:7 (TLB)
God built into the creation a variety of cultural spheres, such as the family, economics, politics, art, and intellectual inquiry. Each of these spheres has its own proper “business” and needs its own unique pattern of authority. When we confuse spheres, by violating the proper boundaries of church and state, for instance, or reducing the academic life to a business enterprise, we transgress the patterns that God has set. ~Abraham Kuyper
My friend, let us be careful to respect and pray for those who are in authority over us; for God has placed them in the position of authority that they are in. Be careful of those thoughts that have a tendency to come out in our attitude, actions and oft times even our speech. Do not entertain thoughts that tear down the leadership that God has placed in your life. Instead, do all that you can to respect and honor them.
“Man’s greatest honor and privilege is to do the will of God.” ~Zac Poonen
My Prayer:
God Almighty, forgive me for those times that I have not honored and respected those in authority over me. I was wrong, and that was sin. Help me, Lord, to keep control over my thoughts; for I know that allowing thoughts of disrespect will come out in my attitude and actions. Lord, I pray for those in authority over me. Give them wisdom in how they lead. Give them godly wisdom as they make decisions for all of those who are under their authority. Protect and keep them, Lord.
Growing with God 