Dumb mistakes can be costly. A little wisdom goes a long way in keeping us out of trouble. Ecclesiastes 10 can be a big help in this regard. This chapter opens with this declaration:
Dead flies make the perfumer’s ointment give off a stench; so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. (Eccl. 10:1)
This verse sets forth a key principle loaded with practical implications:
Because even a little folly stinks, steer clear of stupidity.
From this central truth spring five practical words of counsel. We’ll covered the first tip yesterday, in part one of our three-part series: Remain calm in the face of foolish anger. (see yesterday’s post)
Today we’ll consider the next two tips:
2. Do the right thing at the right time.
In Ecclesiastes 10:10, wisdom is compared to a sharpened blade: “If the iron is blunt, and one does not sharpen the edge, he must use more strength, but wisdom helps one to succeed.” It takes more strength to swing an ax when the blade is dull. You have to hack away like crazy to make even a little headway. That’s the way foolish people live. They keep flailing away at their work or their relationships, making little to no progress, especially spiritually. That’s stupid! The wise person understands that taking time to prepare for a task can make one all the more efficient at doing it.
That’s the point in verse 10. But in verse 11, he seems to state virtually the opposite point, that there is a danger in acting too slowly. He says, “If the serpent bites before it is charmed, there is no advantage to the charmer.” Once a snake is charmed, it’s under control. But until it is charmed, it’s dangerous.
So by bringing verses 10-11 together we see that wisdom is found in doing the right thing at the right time. Discernment is the key. Sometimes we need to wait on a decision or task in order to be better prepared to do the right thing. At other times we need to stop putting off what needs to be done. To delay any further would be foolish and even dangerous. So don’t be stupid — be discerning. Do the right thing at the right time.
3. Choose your words carefully.
Ecclesiastes 10:12 says, “The words of a wise man’s mouth win him favor, but the lips of a fool consume him.” Here is a contrast is between the speech of wise man and that of a fool. “The words of a wise man win him favor….” This could also be translated, “The words of a wise man are gracious.” Here is the first of two exhortations in choosing our words carefully:
a. When it comes to building up others, speak up! Always take advantage of opportunities to encourage others. Scripture says, “Encourage one another and build one another up…” (1 Thess. 5:11). In our society, people are quick to criticize and slow to encourage. But if you would be wise, be an encourager! Proverbs 11:25 says, “Those who refresh others will themselves be refreshed.”
b. When it comes to bragging about yourself, shut up! The second half of Ecclesiastes 10:12 says, “The lips of a fool consume him.” Whereas the wise person receives blessing from his words, the fool ends up destroying himself. Verse 13 says, “The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness, and the end of his talk is evil madness.” His stupidity becomes more apparent with every word he speaks!
Verse 14 says, “A fool multiplies words, though no man knows what is to be, and who can tell him what will be after him?” The point is that stupid people are big talkers. They always brag about how they’re going to do this and accomplish that. James warns us against this kind of presumptuous speech: “Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.’ As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil” (James 4:16-17).
Remember, it only takes a little bit of folly to stink things up. So steer clear of stupidity! If I were to stress any one of the five points above the others, it would be this matter of our speech. Earlier in his epistle, James wrote, “If anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man” (3:2).
When it comes to our words, we can all find room for improvement. One foolish comment can stink things up. So don’t be stupid. Choose your words carefully!
We’ll look at the last two practical tips tomorrow!