As dead flies cause even a bottle of perfume
to stink, so a little foolishness spoils great wisdom and honor. Ecclesiastes
10:1
Dead flies…yuk! Protect your perfume so
that flies can’t get inside the bottle. That’s what we need to do with our
hearts and minds, too. Protect ourselves from vile things—like dead flies that
become smelly. Foolishness—even a little—is like that dead fly in the perfume… malodorous.
Wisdom and honor are pure—undefiled—but foolishness can make a person lose
their good judgment and act in ways that could be considered unbecoming…stinky.
According to Wikipedia, the line…Fools
rush in where angels fear to tread…was written in the early 1700’s by
Alexander Pope in a poem, An Essay on
Criticism. It has been used in some form countless times in movies, books,
songs and lectures. That quote came to mind—we need to be like the angels and
watch where we walk...maybe even wisely being fearful of walking in some
places. Which way should we walk?
Fools don’t choose wisely where they go…or
what they do. Choose wisely. Wise choices
will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. Proverbs 2:11.
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| Which Way Should We Walk? |
Life is complicated and even God doesn’t guarantee
that life will be easy. He just promises in Hebrews 13:5 that He will never leave us or forsake us. We
make our own choices every day. We have free will. I frequently pray for my
children and grandchildren to make good choices throughout their day. Good
choices in friends, food, fun…and a path that leads them ever closer to the
Lord. Like Joshua…choose wisely… But if you refuse to serve the LORD, then choose today whom you will
serve. Would you prefer the gods your ancestors served beyond the Euphrates? Or
will it be the gods of the Amorites in whose land you now live? But as for me and
my family, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15. Hopefully no stinky
choices for any of us.
Prayer
~ Lord, guide the hearts, minds, words and actions of my family and friends…as
well as me…that we would make good decisions that would result in behaviors
that please and honor You.
© 2016 by Mickey M. Hunacek. All rights reserved.
All scripture quoted from the New Living Translation (NLT)
unless otherwise noted.
Biblical search from Blue Letter Bible - http://v3.blueletterbible.org/search.cfm
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