Foolish Choices
Eccl. 10:1-3
1 As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor.
2 The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.
3 Even as he walks along the road, the fool lacks sense and shows everyone how stupid he is.
Foolishness damages a good reputation. A dead fly causes perfume to stink. A small mistake can outweigh much wisdom and honor. One foolish act can ruin a person of high position and wisdom.
Both former presidents, Donald Trump and Bill Clinton, received the limelight regarding inappropriate relationship with Stormy Daniels, and Monica Lewinski. How many times does a moment of flirtation lead a couple into adultery and the breakup of marriages that was not wanted or intended? There are opportunities each day when wrong choices are before us. Satan delights in our failures and foolishness.
Folly causes more trouble than wisdom can cause good. I wonder how often people wished they could relive one moment that changed their lives. How David wishes there was no Bathsheba or Samson did not tell Delilah his secret or Ananias and Sapphira did not lie about selling their property and giving it all to the church or how Nixon wishes there was no Watergate or how one man impulsively stole just a little money from a company with full intention of paying it back, only to discover they were caught doing it. A little folly can damage wisdom and ruin lives.
Temptation creeps into our thinking saying, "just a little bit won't hurt.” “Just this once is o.k., It's only a few.” “A little white lie won't matter." Soon like the snake that moves so slowly strikes, bites us and we are never the same and curse the folly that causes ruin. Beware of the little folly.
Foolishness also moves people to make wrong choices. Vs 2,3 With all respect to left-handed people the use of the wise on the right hand the fool on the left is a figurative expression, and not political ideology. (Do with that as you wish.) Since most were right-handed, the custom of shaking right hands was to show there were no weapon, knives, or danger in the hands of the opponent. They were open-handed and so shaking right hands was a sign of peace. A left-handed person could still cause damage if a person had a weapon. Left-handed implies evil intent.
the wisdom of the Bible tells you to obey, it is foolish to disobey. The Bible contrasts the narrow road and broad road. Most make choices that go along with the crowd and miss the wisdom that comes from above. Wise people discern what is right. They follow truth. They seek the ways of the Lord.
It troubles me to see people making decisions that you know will hurt them and others that are sinful. It seems they are the ones blind to it.
Can you be convinced that the ways of the world will lead to destruction? Beware!
Prayer, "Lord, lead me into the paths of wisdom today and not let foolish decisions and actions get in the way. Thank you for the gift of forgiveness." Amen.
