Yesterday, we discussed seven follies most people assume are significant. Examples included such as sins such as sexual immorality, anger, and unforgiveness. Today, I’d like to point out three sinful follies we might see as minor, but we should view them with great concern when they manifest in our lives. Because these little sinful follies can become huge problems, especially in our most meaningful relationships. Too often, it’s the little things that often add up to create the most significant stench within our lives spiritually.
Dead flies make the perfumer's ointment give off a stench, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. -Ecclesiastes 10:1 (ESV)
1. Criticism
It may not seem like that big of a deal to point out what you dislike. You may even feel entitled to do so, but it is a sin to live with a mindset of cynicism that constantly fuels a mouth of criticism.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. -Colossians 3:12–14 (ESV)
2. Lack of empathy
It is impossible to live as a Jesus-follower without compassion. Jesus, himself, consistently modeled a lifestyle moved by empathy. And, just as Paul’s exhortation to the Church at Colossia warns against criticism, it also identifies compassion as an expectation and directive. Meaning it is a command, not a suggestion. And, therefore a lack of empathy can be a sinful act, even though it may not feel like that big of a deal to turn a blind eye to the needs of others.
Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. And above all these put on love, which binds everything together in perfect harmony. -Colossians 3:12–14 (ESV)
3. Discontentment
It may not seem like a big deal to express discontentment with your house, wardrobe, car, job, church, family, or financial status. But this little thing can become a very big deal. For instance, discontentment cost Adam and Eve the paradise of Eden. They had everything except one thing, yet discontentment focused them on this one thing outside their grasp. Paul cautioned us in this regard by sharing his testimony of the benefits associated with contentment. And he further explained that this kind of lifestyle creates anything but a “stench” spiritually. Instead, it becomes a sweet-smelling savor unto God!
I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. I can do all things through him who strengthens me….Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well-pleasing to God. And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. -Philippians 4:10–13, 18–19 (NKJV)
When we stop to evaluate if we have the dead flies of which Solomon spoke in Ecclesiastes 10 – little sinful follies – poisoning our hearts and souls, it allows us to seek God’s help to remove the things that stink up our lives spiritually. This repentant action gets our hands clean, hearts pure, and minds renewed as we begin to overcome our “stinking thinking” and remember that God shall supply all our needs as He is the one who strengthens us! Through the work of the Holy Spirit, we remove criticism, lack of empathy, and discontentment – the spiritual flies of death – as we reclaim the beautiful fragrance that is pleasing to God in our lives.
I know Jesus will help you in this regard because of the events recorded in Matthew 10, 12, and Luke 11. In each of those instances, Jesus is found to be discussing His acts of casting out the enemy. But each time, he chooses not to call this enemy’s name as we would expect it, Satan or the devil. Instead, Jesus calls him Beelzebub. This intentional act by Jesus is very intriguing because the direct definition of the name Beelzebub is “Lord of the Flies.” Wow! Jesus states that the spiritual flies the enemy lords over and sends into your life will have no authority when Heaven shows up. Jesus can and will cast it out!
The enemy loves to use dead flies to poison the sweet-smelling fragrance of our lives. He craves the opportunity to create a stench that brings destruction to your life. He wants to disrupt the good name of your reputation, as referenced in Ecclesiastes 7:1, but even worse, he wants to disrupt the name of Jesus as a result of your lifestyle choice.
Don’t allow this stench to enter your life. Let Jesus cast out the flies of the and the lord of the flies altogether. You can overcome your follies and live a life that is a sweet-smelling savor unto God as you do all things through Jesus Christ who strengthens you! You can run off the flies in our life… You can overcome your little sinful follies… all you need is the name of Jesus! He will help you overcome every hurt, habit, and hang up – every fly of death!
I invite you to view this message in its entirety at this link: https://youtu.be/bybm_0IrRE8
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