“Dead flies putrefy the perfumer’s ointment, and cause it to give off a foul odor; so does a little folly to one respected for wisdom and honor.” ~ Ecclesiastes 10:1
REFERENCE:
Ecclesiastes 10:1-3
King Solomon had a way of passing across profound truths with simple life events. He was reputed to have been the wisest man to have lived, and so, if he said something about how foolishness can ruin wisdom, it is worth listening to. In our text, the wise king said that a little folly can make someone reputed to be wise to appear offensive and irritating. Folly will see to it.
In explaining how a little folly or unwise speech or act can ruin the reputation of an otherwise esteemed person, the king said it is like a dead fly in the perfumer’s oil. When a fly lands on the perfumer’s fragrant mixture, it cannot free itself and soon dies in the mix. As the dead fly decays, the ointment begins to stink; hence, something meant to be sweet becomes offensive.
A little folly can make wisdom lose its worth. An act of foolishness will ultimately outweigh the virtues of honor and wisdom. The more folly exhibited by someone least expected to, the fouler and more offensive it is. In the 2006 World Cup, Zinedine Zidane of France became the world’s favorite and played his last World Cup final against Italy after a great career. In a spate of anger, he headbutted Marco Materazzi of Italy and was sent off the field.
This act of ‘folly’ was a foul smell in Zidane’s sterling career. A little folly (a violent outburst of wrath, thoughtless indiscretion in conduct with the opposite sex, overindulgence in drink, careless comment, or any moral misdeed) can ruin the reputation of someone highly respected, esteemed, or honored. Just as a little dead fly can destroy an ointment mixture, wisdom, and honor cannot escape the damaging effect of a bit of foolishness or moral wrong.
Can you identify with this? Do you look back at certain events in your life and wish you showed more restraint with your words or actions? Well, today is another extension of God’s grace to you. A little folly can ruin wisdom. Be mindful of your words and actions, put your anger on a leash, and watch your appetite for everything. I refuse for satan to sabotage your destiny.
PHOTO QUOTE
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURES:
Ecclesiastes 7:8; 9:18, Proverbs 23:1-3, and I Corinthians 10:23
PRAYER:
+ Lord, help me to overcome all self-sabotaging attitudes and behavior in my life.
+ O Lord, help me to keep the ointment of my life free from dead flies. Keep me from situations that may cause my life to smell foul.
+ I avoid extremes and excesses; Father, let the Holy Spirit be my regulator.
