Words Fly

“Do not revile the king even in your thoughts, or curse the rich in your bedroom, because a bird of the air may carry your words, and a bird on the wing may report what you say.” – Ecclesiastes 10:20

In 2013, authorities in western China apparently wanted to make an example of 16-year-old Yang Hui.

He was the first person in China to be arrested under a new rule against “rumor mongers,” defined as people who intentionally post on social media a rumor that is reposted 500 times or more, or viewed 5,000 times or more.

Yang had posted that a recent local death, that had been ruled a suicide by the police, was suspicious and it was actually a murder that the police were covering up.
The police took offense to Yang’s words and had him arrested for “picking fights and stirring up trouble.”

The police also accused him of “spreading rumors,” “inciting crowds to protest” and hampering the police investigation into the alleged suicide.

As criticism of Yang Hui’s arrest spread online, the government retreated.
His criminal arrest was downgraded to administrative detention. He was then released without charge.

Once spoken or written, our words can take flight and land where we do not intend them.

Allow Jesus to order your speech so it will bring Him glory.

“A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.” – Proverbs 16:28