A private, a general, and a beautiful young lady and her mother all happened to be sitting together on a train. No words were spoken among them, but the private and young lady exchanged glances and smiles amidst the mother's and general's scowls. The train went through a tunnel, and everything went black. In the darkness, the silence was broken by the sound of a kiss immediately followed by the distinct sound of a slap. The train exited the tunnel, and daylight found the four seated stone-faced.

The mother thought to herself, that fresh young man kissed my daughter and I'm glad she slapped him.

The daughter thought, that handsome private meant to kiss me and kissed my mother by mistake. I hope she didn't slap him too hard.

The general thought, how do you like that, the private kisses the girl, and she misses and slaps me.

The private reflected, I haven't had this much fun in a long time. I just kissed the back of my own hand and slapped the general across the face!

Things aren't always the way they seem. Four different people. Four different versions. That's the way many rumors start. Sometimes with facts. Sometimes with what a person believes to be facts. Rumors and gossip can tear down relationships, ruin reputations, and destroy people's lives. When speaking about others, it's still the best policy, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all.

Ephesians 4:29 - Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.