MAR 14

Ecclesiastes 10:1-3
Memorise Ephesians 5:15
"Walk circumspectly, not as fools, but as wise"

ARE YOU WISE IN YOUR TESTIMONY?

In Ecclesiastes 10, Solomon will give a series of very practical day to day illustrations of the importance of wisdom. He sets forth the acts of a wise man, and contrasts them with that of the fool, and logically concludes that wisdom is indeed far better.

The first example that Solomon gives is one with regards to a man’s testimony. Just like a little leaven leavens the whole lump, a dead fly in ointment (sweet smelling perfumes) will rot, and send forth a bad smell. Likewise just a small blemish, a small sin, can cause one to lose his testimony and witness before men. And so wise men will do all he can to uphold his testimony, to not allow dead flies into his ointment. He will exercise great caution in his conduct, his speech, and even his thoughts, so as to not allow even small sins to enter into his life.

His heart is kept in his right hand, just as Christ is seated on the right hand of God – a place of authority, glory and honour. One’s right hand is also generally the master hand, and therefore the correct, useful place to be. A wise man would have his affections and thoughts ready, available, sure and steady. However it is said that a fool’s heart is in his left, opposite of what the right hand is. A right handed person would find it very awkward and unwieldy to use his left hand to do things. This is not to say that the left hand is inferior, but it is just to draw a contrast. The fool therefore is described as one who has his heart and thoughts in a mess, handicapped and unable to do anything useful at all. The fool, in his walk and in the manner that he lives, therefore shows to the world that he is a fool. The world can easily identify the foolish man, for he will do foolish things, and he has no testimony to speak of.

Dear teen, are you as the wise, or as the fool? Are you circumspect in your ways, careful to always maintain a good and faithful testimony for our Lord? Or are you reckless and careless in your ways, just doing whatever you want, and not having a care or thought of how people will perceive you? Do you realize that when you live in such a manner, you show to all that you are a fool, and you bring shame to the name of Christ?

Thought: To be circumspect, is to inspect your circumference.
Prayer: Lord, may You grant me wisdom in all my ways, that I will be an effective witness for Thee, and never bring shame to Thy name.