Read: Ecclesiastes 7

The reading for today is well worth the effort it takes to read the whole chapter. But knowing we don’t all have the same time, I selected my standout verses to share with you today. Here they are:

Not a single person on earth is always good and never sins.

Don’t eavesdrop on others—you may hear your servant curse you. You know how often you yourself have cursed others.

Ecclesiastes 7:20-22

This really levels the playing field for me. First, no one is better than another. We all have sinned. Paul agrees with Solomon and in Romans says it this way:

For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard. Yet God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins. 

Romans 3:23-24

Paul just follows his statement of universal sinfulness with the awesome good news that we are made right by Jesus.

Secondly, the one thing that keeps me from saying whatever I might want is the hard truth state above. It seems I really get my knickers in a twist if I find out someone is talking about me – especially if it isn’t a glowing report about my awesomeness! And then I am brought up short by this one truth: I have so often said unkind things about others.

I remind myself often: if I don’t want others to speak unkindly about me, don’t speak unkindly about others. I know this isn’t a magic formula, but kindness goes a long way in begetting kindness.

What part of this chapter is most relevant to you? What change can you make as a result?