SWORD OF THE SPIRIT                                                                                               1273

“Dead Flies”

Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so, a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. – Ecclesiastes 10:1

Flies are not only attracted to decaying organic filth. They are also attracted to sugary substances as well as fragrant perfumes and ointments that have sweet, floral notes. If left unattended, many flies will die there, and their decay will give off a stench.

This was a common occurrence in Solomon’s day, and he used this as a metaphor in his teaching.

What does this have to do with Christianity? How do we apply this Scripture to our lives?

The answer lies in the fact that as Christians we are the fragrance of Christ to a dying world. We have a common saying of ‘There is a fly in the ointment’ meaning there is an irritation that spoils the success or enjoyment of something. Flies, both living and dead, as well as habitual sin are indeed an irritation and a stench.

But thanks be to God, who in Christ always leads us in triumphal procession, and through us spreads the fragrance of the knowledge of him everywhere. For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing – 2 Corinthians 2:14,15

Solomon’s proverb is a call to self-examination.

I say I am a Christian. Do my actions support my proclamation?

And by this we know that we have come to know him if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him… whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he (Jesus) walked. – 1 John 2:3-6

I say I go to church. Am I the ‘church’ outside of the four walls of the sanctuary?

What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? …If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? So also, faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. – James 2:14-17

In this dying world, your Christian walk with Jesus – your actions in the day-to-day trenches of life, may be the only ‘bible’ some people ‘read’.

Are there the ‘dead flies’ of habitual sin in your life walk that spoil the fragrance of Christ to those around you?

No one who abides in him keeps on sinning; … – 1 John 3:6

Even small transgressions that we allow in our life will have consequences. That coarse, off-color joke; The hand gesture or profanity spoken in a moment of anger; The lie of commission or omission; These and more are the ‘little folly that outweighs wisdom and honor’ that Solomon was speaking about.

These are the dead flies that spoil the fragrance of Christ and repel those who need Him most.

May the Holy Spirit refiner’s fire cleanse the ‘dead flies’ from your life as you confess and repent of them. May your life walk bring glory to God.

And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him. – Colossians 3:17