“Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor..” Ecclesiastes 10:1
Growing up in a home with no central air, one of the nuisances that we endured were all those flies! It seems they loved the indoors more than outside. You had to shoo them off your plate at mealtime, swat at them when you watched TV, then smack them off your face as you went to sleep. We kids didn’t mind them, but mom sure did, for she knew they carried all sorts of germs.
The text provides us a clear-cut message regarding the contamination that sinful things can bring into a Christian’s heart and life. Regardless of how powerful and effective our spiritual character may be, it will be rendered ineffective, even ruined, by just one little fly of sin. It is up to us to guard and keep ourselves as pure and scripturally consistent as we can. In this chapter we are warned of ten flies that can surely ruin us in heart and service to God.
1. (v.1) Foolishness. One’s reputation is his most valuable earthly possession. It determines how folks will regard and respect you as well as whether or not they will listen to you. A Christian doesn’t have to be a fuddy-duddy, but we certainly need to be serious minded in our lifestyle and behavior. To live each day in a light-hearted, reckless manner is to poison our fellowship with God and our ability to help and reach other. We should use the wisdom God gave us to control our behavior before those without.
2. (v.4) Unfaithfulness. “Leave not thy place…” When God saved you, He gave you an important place in His family and church. You are responsible for your place, to be where you should be and to do His will with your all. If you become unfaithful to church, His word, or your duties, the effectiveness of your profession dies. Lost people will disregard your testimony if you disregard it yourself. Many are counting on you. God is as well.
3. (v.6) Dignity. There is nothing wrong in having confidence in one’s self. However, if we elevate ourselves above those around us, in attitude or deed, we ruin the very foundation of our Christianity: humility. Do you find yourself constantly critical of others? Do you consider yourself as smarter, closer, better, and better at things than those around you? Take heed. You are being seen by others as a fool. And folks may think as highly of you as you may think. Humble yourself and treat others humbly now, before your ointment is spoiled.
4. (v.8) Carelessness. If someone digs a hole in the yard, they must be continually conscious of that hole, so as not to fall into it. Being careful is part of our everyday lives. From showering to driving, to even eating, carelessness can cause injury. It can even kill. Satan watches for our careless moments. Then he lures us to slip and fall into our own pits. When we do, all the good God has blessed us with falls too. Even our testimony. What we have is delicate. Don’t break it by carelessness.
5. (v.5) Dullness. “If the iron be blunt…) No matter how big the ax is, it will cut very little if it isn’t sharp. If it cuts at all, it will wear a person out. God’s people should be the happiest, most excited folks on earth, but often we act as if it is an affliction to be a Christian! A bored, apathetic attitude toward worship, church, and serving the Lord will quickly kill both your personal power and your influence on others. There is nothing dull about God. So there shouldn’t be anything dull about you.
6. (v.11) Babbling. One of the quickest and most successful ways to ruin your profession is by having an uncontrolled tongue. True, our tongues are the most difficult to control, but it is far from impossible. Gossip, slander, idle judging of someone to your friends both injures them and you. Here is the source of almost all problems in a church. Your words, once spoken, cannot be taken back. If there is a fly we need to squash now, it is our uncontrolled tongues.
7. (v.15) Ignorance. “because he knoweth not how..” It is impossible to learn and know everything. But we can always learn more than we know now. Willful ignorance of the Bible, has led to the ruin of many believers. To try to please God, overcome the world, live right, and win others without studying how a complete waste of time is. We cannot make up our own rule. God has plainly written everything we need to know. There is no excuse for ignorance. Learn.
8. (v.16) Immaturity. “thy king is a child..” Though we are God’s children, we are not to act like babies! Childish behavior has ruined many a church and individual. Getting mad, throwing tantrums, pouting, and misbehaving have provided a good excuse for many a lost person. It wrecks a church’s reputation. It severs the precious touch of God upon it. We are to get past these childish things and grow up. God help us see the brat in us and discipline him right now.
9. (v.18) Slothfulness. Every possession we have must have regular maintenance in order for it to continue. Our autos, our bodies, our homes, our spiritual lives, all require daily attention and upkeep. It’s easy to fall into laziness. Let Bible study go today; skip the morning prayer; miss prayer meeting. Just once won’t hurt. But it does because it will become easier to do it again and again. Pretty soon “the house droppeth through”. If you have become lazy in the Lord, take a look at yourself and how dilapidated you have become. Then get to work before all caves in.
10. (v.19) Greed. “money answereth all things…” How true this is. The love and compulsion for money is the driving force of the world. One of the greatest lies ever believed is that money is the answer for all things, that it will bring happiness, give security, meet your every need and bring you lasting peace and satisfaction. But it has proven itself never to have done this time after time. If you set your life’s focus on making and having money you will soon lose sight of those good things of the heart that really bring fullness and wealth. This fly will ruin every ounce of your ointment. You will do neither yourself nor anyone else any good at all. Seek the wealth from above. Begin in your heart.
Are any of these flies floating in your ointment tonight? If so, then you had better come quickly and pray them out. Clean up your ointment, and let us begin to get somewhere for God again.
Adwolfe Freewill Baptist Church 