Ecclesiastes 10:1 ~
Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a STINKING SAVOR: so doth A LITTLE FOLLY him that is in reputation for wisdom and honor.
New King James ~ ~
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.
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Meditation ~ ~ ~
DEPORTMENT, how we conduct ourselves, is IMPORTANT, according to Scriptures.
Wise King Solomon himself weakened his own witness and weakened Israel by his folly of having so many wives and concubines.
A little joking and jesting, a clever remark, a witty saying ... all these mannerisms DETRACT from the serious deportment needed by a serious man or woman of GOD.
Is our mind ~ and hence, our conversation, our mode of behavior ~ upon Heavenly things? Or rather, do we carry of primary importance our clever and witty "interaction" with others ?
Are we bold and insistent with the sales clerks at the stores or in the shops ? Is our voice less than moderate so that others BESIDES the one we are addressing have to hear our concerns too ?
And never forget: a somber demeanor is helped by somber dress. Quiet colors and dark solids carry more weight in witnessing than loud and sassy and fashionable garments. Modest clothing, not form-fitting nor revealing , carries more weight in witnessing, also.
A covering on the head of women who are dressed in dresses ( or ample skirts or jumpers), long pants and long sleeves for men, go a long way towards somber dressing befitting a visible Christian witness.
Here is a rule of thumb:
When in public, if no-one EVER has come up to you when you are by yourself and asked you to pray for his or her concerns or his/her loved ones... then this is likely true: your public demeanor and dress are OUT OF LINE with Scriptures. You are not bearing a visible witness to CHRIST JESUS.
No-one recognizes you for being a Christian, alas ! Your visible witness as separated unto CHRIST JESUS has vanished, replaced with only a witness for Self... like the rest of the public.
Wise King Solomon himself weakened his own witness and weakened Israel by his folly of having so many wives and concubines.
A little joking and jesting, a clever remark, a witty saying ... all these mannerisms DETRACT from the serious deportment needed by a serious man or woman of GOD.
Is our mind ~ and hence, our conversation, our mode of behavior ~ upon Heavenly things? Or rather, do we carry of primary importance our clever and witty "interaction" with others ?
Are we bold and insistent with the sales clerks at the stores or in the shops ? Is our voice less than moderate so that others BESIDES the one we are addressing have to hear our concerns too ?
And never forget: a somber demeanor is helped by somber dress. Quiet colors and dark solids carry more weight in witnessing than loud and sassy and fashionable garments. Modest clothing, not form-fitting nor revealing , carries more weight in witnessing, also.
A covering on the head of women who are dressed in dresses ( or ample skirts or jumpers), long pants and long sleeves for men, go a long way towards somber dressing befitting a visible Christian witness.
Here is a rule of thumb:
When in public, if no-one EVER has come up to you when you are by yourself and asked you to pray for his or her concerns or his/her loved ones... then this is likely true: your public demeanor and dress are OUT OF LINE with Scriptures. You are not bearing a visible witness to CHRIST JESUS.
No-one recognizes you for being a Christian, alas ! Your visible witness as separated unto CHRIST JESUS has vanished, replaced with only a witness for Self... like the rest of the public.
Prayer ~ ~ ~
Dear LORD JESUS, O THOU+ Who+ wast known to weep more than laugh as THOU+ didst walk this earth among men, teach us to not mingle a little folly in our conduct.
Teach us to set aside the "Old Man" ways that we have developed to serve Self. Help us to reflect THY+ Character, not our Self, as we interact in this fallen world.
May others see THEE+ and not us... May others be drawn to THEE+ and not us.... May THOU+ be glorified and lifted up, so that all men may be drawn unto THEE+, the giver of Life, the ONLY Name given under Heaven among men whereby we must be saved.
This we pray in Thy+ Name, O Blessed SAVIOR, Our LORD JESUS CHRIST... in Whom+ we live and move and have our being. Amen.
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