Have you ever prepared your family's favorite foods for a picnic or cookout only to have a fly land on the wonderful meal you tastefully arranged? It always seems that this disgusting little insect parks on your personal favorite and instantly spoils your desire to partake of the appealing provisions. If you're like me, disappointment sets in immediately accompanied by raw irritation that such insects exist - especially after you took extra time to organize a delicious feast! Well, you might wonder where I am going with all of this, but if you'll turn with me to Ecclesiastes 10:1 you'll get an idea…

Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.

Not only is a live fly disgusting, a dead fly is even worse! As a teenager I worked part-time in a restaurant and one time unknowingly served a customer a glass of water with a dead fly in it. Needless to say, the patron was appalled and I was equally shocked and remorseful. When I was much younger, my little sister held a fly in front of my face and as I opened my mouth to scream she promptly dropped it on my tongue! I thought I would die from repugnance!! Flies just seem to ruin everything and take what is pure and good and spoil it in a matter of a split second. Yes, these small black insects have the power to instantly corrupt anything with which they make contact. In fact, flies are responsible for spreading disease-causing bacteria and viruses with their piercing, sucking mouths.

Holding that same thought, the Bible says folly has a related effect upon our lives. If we would uphold an untainted reputation, every believer should take care to keep even the smallest ounce of folly from lighting on their lives and spreading disease to their souls. Flies prohibit use. That's why incompetent persons should not end up in positions of responsibility until their competency has been established. Individuals who are looked upon as authorities and held in high regard must take great pains not to spoil their name with a foolish act that would lead to the death of their reputation! This can happen in a split second via just one bad choice… While precious ointment is certainly costly and a pleasure to own, a good name is worth far more than that and should be strictly preserved and protected…

Ecclesiastes 7:1 (KJV)
A good name is better than precious ointment.

Everyone desires respect and those in reputation of wisdom and honor carry a “heavenly-scented” testimony. However, any putrefaction spoils perfume. Hence, the joyful occasion of having a good name is ruined in a fraction of time when it is set aside for folly and takes years to get back - if at all. So too, when Christians entertain foolishness in an unguarded moment, they activate the deterioration of the reputation of Christ! Guarding the label of a good name for the sake of the Savior displays the highest respect bestowed upon the Lord. Unfortunately, there is a foul stench to Christianity in general today because believers are not sober minded; they have an insatiable appetite for folly. Incidentally, do YOU possess a good name? Does Christ possess a good name in you? Or have you exchanged something very valuable for a cheap thrill? Are you clear on folly's definition? Let's go over it to be sure….

Webster's 1828 dictionary defines folly as: 1) weakness of intellect, imbecility of mind; want of understanding; 2) a weak or absurd act not highly criminal; an act which is inconsistent with the dictates of reason, or with the ordinary rules of prudence. 3) an absurd act which is highly sinful; any conduct contrary to the laws of God or man; sin; scandalous crimes; that which violates moral precepts and dishonors the offender.

Take a moment for personal inventory… Have any small, black flies come to rest upon your Christian testimony, bringing corruption to the cause of Christ in your life? We often think little things aren't such a big deal, but when you consider the attributes of a fly, that just isn’t so! Believers today are quick to play around with little evils rather than choosing to remove themselves from sin altogether! God’s children should not make a practice of engaging in stupid things; it's time we got serious about belonging to the Lord! In forsaking their obedience to the Word of God, Christians have gone off the path of wisdom and become fascinated with folly…

Proverbs 14:24 (KJV)
The crown of the wise is their riches: but the foolishness of fools is folly.

Proverbs 14:29 (KJV)
He that is slow to wrath is of great understanding: but he that is hasty of spirit exalteth folly.

Proverbs 15:21 (KJV)
Folly is joy to him that is destitute of wisdom: but a man of understanding walketh uprightly.

Proverbs 18:13 (KJV)
He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.

Proverbs 5:23 (KJV)
He shall die without instruction; and in the greatness of his folly he shall go astray.

Folly comes in all shapes, sizes, and colors; it is more than succumbing to a moment of silliness, as the Bible clearly illustrates in the verses listed above. Scripture teaches there are numerous little ways that we tarnish our testimony and hurt the cause of Christ. And if we're not careful and serious about living for God, we can actually die having spoiled our inheritance in the Lord by a little stupidity! Therefore, folly is self-destructive.

Let me say also that parents must train their children to take a sober mindset toward their own personal testimony as a Christian. I have seen many mothers endeavor to take control of the social status of their children and it simply cannot be done! Parents have no right to insist that people hold their children in high regard – each one must develop their own good reputation! For example, should I pretend your baby doesn’t have a dirty diaper when it really does just so you aren’t offended and don’t have to deal with the mess?? Of what benefit would that be to your child, dear mother? You can’t force your children on people – they must find their own way into the hearts of men and women by their honorable behavior. I hope you haven’t lifted the intricate, time-honored job of earning respect off of your child and placed it on the back of other people! Your children must take responsibility for the appeal of their own character. Nobody clean should want to interact with unclean individuals or practices, so don’t blame others for what your child fritters away through folly. How good we smell is up to each of us… If you’ve been careless in taking suitable oversight for your own reputation as a believer, the stink is no one’s fault but your own! Take unto thee things that would keep your life pure and holy and swat away that which would putrefy the ointment of your character. Turn your back on folly forever, purpose in your heart right now that you won't let any worldly flies land on your heart and contaminate a life that should be set apart for the glory of God!

Exodus 30:34-35 (KJV)
And the Lord said unto Moses, Take unto thee sweet spices, stacte, and onycha, and galbanum; these sweet spices with pure frankincense: of each shall there be a like weight: [35] And thou shalt make it a perfume, a confection after the art of the apothecary, tempered together, pure and holy:

God Bless,
Pam
Isaiah 60:1&2
Copyright 2000 Pamela A. Iannello
Revised 2004