Have you ever said something you thought was private, but then it got back to the person you were talking about? Maybe you complained about someone to your friend, and somehow that person found out. That’s so embarrassing! And it can hurt feelings too!

King Solomon gave some interesting advice about this: Be careful what you say, even when you think nobody’s listening! He said it in kind of a funny way: that a “bird…might carry your voice.” But the point is serious: Words have a way of getting around!

The Bible says, “In the multitude of words sin is not lacking, but he who restrains his lips is wise.” That means the more we talk, the more likely we are to say something we shouldn’t! Sometimes the wisest thing to do is to just be quiet!

James (Jesus’ brother) wrote a whole section in the Bible about how powerful our words are. He said the tongue is tiny, but it can cause huge problems—like how one little match can burn down an entire forest! Our words can hurt people, spread lies, or cause fights. But they can also encourage people, share truth, and bring peace!

Take Action: Do a “word check” this week. Before you say something about someone else, ask yourself these three questions: (1) Is it TRUE? (2) Is it KIND? (3) Is it NECESSARY? If you say “No” to any of those, then don’t say it! This is especially important when you’re tempted to complain about someone or say something behind their back. Remember: Your words are powerful! Use them to build people up, not tear them down. And here’s a good rule: If you wouldn’t say it to the person’s face, don’t say it behind their back!