“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).
No, this article is not about perfume. But, the writer of Ecclesiastes refers to perfume that stinks to make a point. Why does the perfumer’s ointment stink? Because it has been corrupted by dead flies. Not a pretty picture, is it?
The lesson is about leadership. Consider the reference to “one respected for wisdom and honor.” We want our leaders to be respectable. We desire them to show integrity, honor, and honesty in their personal lives and character. A lack of such integrity leaves a stench in our nostrils.
Consider how often this happens among our governmental leaders. How typical is it for one party to criticize every corruption of the other, while defending their own who are doing the very same thing. The hypocrisy of this is obvious and it “stinks”! It reminds me of Paul’s admonition of the Jews in Romans 2:1-3, “Therefore you are inexcusable, O man, whoever you are who judge, for in whatever you judge another you condemn yourself; for you who judge practice the same things. But we know that the judgment of God is according to truth against those who practice such things. And do you think this, O man, you who judge those practicing such things, and doing the same, that you will escape the judgment of God?”
Later in the same context Paul spoke to specifics. “You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? You who say, ‘Do not commit adultery,’ do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? For ‘the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,’ as it is written” (Romans 2:21-24).
The Christian is not immune to this foible. Those who have a position of leadership in the church can do tremendous damage if they sully their efforts by sin.
Further, consider the position that every Christian holds in the world. “Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matthew 5:16). Just as the Jew impeded the Gentiles reception of God by their “little folly”, we Christians can negate the call of God to the lost by lacking integrity in our Christian walk.
Remember Peter’s words, “Beloved, I beg you as sojourners and pilgrims, abstain from fleshly lusts which war against the soul, having your conduct honorable among the Gentiles, that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may, by your good works which they observe, glorify God in the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2:11-12).
