In Ecclesiastes 7, the Teacher is sifting for wisdom. He is sorting through his own thoughts and experiences in order to find what is good and right. He hopes to find insights which will sustain him when life feels fleeting or frustrating.
In verse 21, he says something very down-to-earth. And I’m going to guess that it’s something we all need to hear time and time again.
“Do not take to heart all the things that people say…” There are a variety of reasons for this. You may hear someone cursing you (which is not a good thing). And who knows, perhaps you have been careless with your own mouth too!
I find his choice of words very telling. He says we shouldn’t “take to heart” all the things that people say. Taking something to heart means internalizing it. It’s giving it invisible-but-permanent real estate on the inside of you. If the words are unfair or hurtful, or if they are lies about your identity, worth or purpose, then they are not something you want on the inside of you!
Time for an eviction notice.
Further, he says that we shouldn’t take to heart “all” the things people say. Sure, we should thoughtfully consider “some” of the things people say. But when we blindly gobble down and internalize every little thing, we are usually not helping ourselves.
In Acts 5:29, when the apostle Peter was facing criticism and adversity, he said: “We must obey God rather than men.” That is a healthy attitude about the correct order of things. We need to respect and love people but in a way that always puts God first. And that includes what he says in the Bible about our identity, worth and purpose.
Put God first. And do not take to heart all the things that people say.
Notes:
-Podcast episode: “Surviving the A.I. Apocalypse with C.R. Wiley.” Watch on YouTube here, or listen on ‘The Pulse Podcast with Matthew Ruttan’ (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.). You can also find it on MatthewRuttan.com.
-Bible quotes, ESV.
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