On Wisdom and Folly

Sermon Text

Ecclesiastes 10:1-3

Wisdom and Folly

10 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.
2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand,
But a fool’s heart at his left.
3 Even when a fool walks along the way,
He lacks wisdom,
And he shows everyone that he is a fool.

New King James Version (NKJV) Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

• Ecclesiastes 10:1 warns that even a little folly can spoil a reputation for wisdom and honor, like dead flies ruining costly ointment.
• Scripture honestly exposes the folly and sin of its people; Jesus Christ alone is perfectly pure, wise, and without sin.
• The right-hand and left-hand picture in verse 2 describes skill and clumsiness, not the moral worth of physically right- or left-handed people.
• True wisdom is skill in applying the right biblical principle at the right time, and it grows through fearing God, knowing his Word, abiding in Christ, and relying on the Holy Spirit.
• Pride makes fools trust their own way and dismiss sound counsel, while humility tests advice by Scripture and gladly receives whatever helps us love God and neighbor.
• The Spirit turns sinners from the broad way of folly to Christ, enabling imperfect but fruitful lives marked by godly wisdom.

• What small area of tolerated folly is beginning to affect your speech, relationships, work, or reputation?
• Do you minimize your own sin with excuses while seeing other people's folly clearly?
• Where are you looking for the strength to change: within yourself or in fellowship with Christ through his Word and Spirit?
• How does Ecclesiastes 10:2 describe wisdom as practiced skill rather than information stored in the mind?
• Whose counsel are you tempted to dismiss because of pride, age, background, or because the speaker is outside your usual circle?
• How can you test practical advice by Scripture without either accepting the world's wisdom uncritically or rejecting all outside help?
• What fruit would become more visible in your life if you listened humbly and applied God's truth more skillfully?
• Have you admitted that your natural path leads to death and entrusted yourself to Jesus Christ, the wisdom of God?

Folly

Sinful and prideful thinking that rejects God's way, damages conduct, and eventually becomes visible in a person's life.

Wisdom

God-given skill to understand and apply the right principle in the right situation for God's glory and our neighbor's good.

Fear of the Lord

Reverent knowledge of God as the Holy One, which Scripture identifies as the beginning of wisdom.

Abiding in Christ

Depending on Jesus as the source of spiritual life and fruit instead of trying to produce holiness from our own inner strength.

Biblical discernment

Evaluating ideas and advice by Scripture, rejecting what opposes godliness and receiving what agrees with God's truth.

Regeneration

The Holy Spirit's work of giving new life, humbling the sinner, and turning the heart to love and follow Christ.