Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner
destroyeth much good. Ecc. 9:18
One sinner destroyeth much good-
The Destructiveness of Sin
destroyeth much good. Ecc. 9:18
One sinner destroyeth much good-
The Destructiveness of Sin
There's a old statement from generations past that fits this verse, "One bad apple will spoil the whole barrel."
Very true. It's also true about people, and the influence they have, for good, or bad. One corrupt troublemaker, one town gossip can keep strife going, and ruin a multitude of people. They can destroy a lot of good that somebody is trying to accomplish, and destroy many lives along the way. When there's a group of them in a town, or the community is overrun with them, it can totally corrupt the town, and many good intentions, die.
It goes on in the internet a great deal. I keep reminding myself why the Lord asked me to do this, and the path He's put me on, and stay there, no matter what's said about me, or done to me. One day, recompense will come.
We're seeing the effects of sinners, and watch it play out in many large cities and towns across the country now, when the wicked rule, a nation mourns, and society collapses.
Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes. In penning this verse, his choice of words expressed many truths:
a. Wisdom is better than strength: he knew that even though wisdom is not appreciated and it is ultimately vain, it was still better than strength.
b. Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools: Because wisdom is superior, it should be heard above the shouts of the foolish – even though wisdom will often be unappreciated.
However, there are with the wise, times it's necessary to raise the voice-when emphasis on the objection warrants it. Solomon knew that there are times when the wicked counteract the attempts the righteous, to silence them; sometimes it's necessary to raise the voice-to stand against the evil in the situation.
He expressed that wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good: Wisdom is better – better than strength (weapons of war), better than foolishness – but all the good that wisdom does can quickly be taken away by one sinner who destroys much good.
Solomon sensed that it was much easier to destroy than to build. Establishing things by wisdom is much more difficult than destroying them by the work of even one sinner.
There are verses throughout the Bible that give examples and are in context with this, that can give more depth to this teaching:
Jos_7:1, Jos_7:5, Jos_7:11-12, Jos_22:20; 1Sa_14:28-29, 1Sa_14:36-46; 2Sa_20:1-2; 2Th_2:8-12; 2Ti_2:16-18, 2Ti_3:8, 2Ti_4:3-4; Tit_1:10-11; Heb_12:15-16
Some verses with examples of these characteristics are Achan, Ai, Saul, Sheba son of Bichri, Jannes and Jambres, and Esau-as Hebrews describes him:
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Sin, in itself, is a moral force of tremendous potency. Nothing finite or human can resist it, or counteract its maligning influence. Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. That is the terrible law of sin, and nothing escapes it. The only thing that brings the sinner healing and deliverance, is the Atoning blood of Jesus Christ, when the repentant sinner recognizes they cannot save themselves, and turns to Him, for forgiveness of their sins, and receives his mercy and salvation. When a sinner comes to Jesus for cleansing, and forgiveness, our sins are cast as far as the east is from the west, and swallowed up in the depths of the sea. God forgives and forgets. Unfortunately, many times, people do not. I've learned to cling to Jesus like the woman who clung to His garment, like the woman who washed his feet with her tears. Jesus' love, is enough, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, and are called according to His purpose. No matter what you've done-Jesus love is greater and deeper.
As a social moral force sin works on a broader field, and with the sweep and destructiveness of a cyclone, uprooting and destroying everything in its path. One cholera or fever-stricken man may infect a whole city: so one moral leper may impart the plague to all within the circle of his influence while living, and send the death-current down through many generations. One scoffer or infidel may blast the faith of a thousand souls. One bad book, the progeny of a single brain, may taint the morals of a nation.
Confine the view to a narrower social field—say the family, or the little neighborhood, or the single church—and the same alarming fact is brought to light. The narrower the sphere the more intimate and constant the contact, as a rule the stronger the influence exerted. One evil child often leads astray a whole family group; one evil companion corrupts a whole circle; one bad example suffices to destroy the integrity of the whole body.
Summary Lessons:
1. Be watchful and vigilant in regard to the first appearance of evil--
(1) in the individual himself. Timely rebuke, faithful admonition, earnest prayer and effort may arrest the tide of evil and save a sinner from the doom which he courts, and save society from the dreadful effects of an abandoned career.
(2) In the community in which he moves, in the way of warning, and in the way of hedging in and counteracting his destructive influence.
This is an ongoing aspect of spiritual warfare in the Christian life, that few preachers ever touch on, or preach about. It's unfortunate, because this is one of the greatest conflicts we face on a daily basis, both in our personal lives, and in ministry. How to counter the ongoing influences of the wickedness and evil influences of people in our lives, and learning to walk, and apply scripture to these conflicts is what is needed to equip the people of God, and help them stand against the evil we are surrounded with. Some verses that will steer the believer in the right direction are:
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Read and study Ephesians ch. 6-and while you do, pray, and ask for Gods help, and strength to apply the verses in it.
Then go to :
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Then, go on to:
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
We know from these verses that it's God who fights our battles for us. Vengeance belongs to Him, our job is to stand in righteousness, remain in His peace, and let Him deal with our enemies. Our strength comes from applying God's word to our lives, and trust Him, that He will turn the tide. He is our shield and Buckler-under His wings, we abide in safety.
Very true. It's also true about people, and the influence they have, for good, or bad. One corrupt troublemaker, one town gossip can keep strife going, and ruin a multitude of people. They can destroy a lot of good that somebody is trying to accomplish, and destroy many lives along the way. When there's a group of them in a town, or the community is overrun with them, it can totally corrupt the town, and many good intentions, die.
It goes on in the internet a great deal. I keep reminding myself why the Lord asked me to do this, and the path He's put me on, and stay there, no matter what's said about me, or done to me. One day, recompense will come.
We're seeing the effects of sinners, and watch it play out in many large cities and towns across the country now, when the wicked rule, a nation mourns, and society collapses.
Solomon wrote Ecclesiastes. In penning this verse, his choice of words expressed many truths:
a. Wisdom is better than strength: he knew that even though wisdom is not appreciated and it is ultimately vain, it was still better than strength.
b. Words of the wise, spoken quietly, should be heard rather than the shout of a ruler of fools: Because wisdom is superior, it should be heard above the shouts of the foolish – even though wisdom will often be unappreciated.
However, there are with the wise, times it's necessary to raise the voice-when emphasis on the objection warrants it. Solomon knew that there are times when the wicked counteract the attempts the righteous, to silence them; sometimes it's necessary to raise the voice-to stand against the evil in the situation.
He expressed that wisdom is better than weapons of war; but one sinner destroys much good: Wisdom is better – better than strength (weapons of war), better than foolishness – but all the good that wisdom does can quickly be taken away by one sinner who destroys much good.
Solomon sensed that it was much easier to destroy than to build. Establishing things by wisdom is much more difficult than destroying them by the work of even one sinner.
There are verses throughout the Bible that give examples and are in context with this, that can give more depth to this teaching:
Jos_7:1, Jos_7:5, Jos_7:11-12, Jos_22:20; 1Sa_14:28-29, 1Sa_14:36-46; 2Sa_20:1-2; 2Th_2:8-12; 2Ti_2:16-18, 2Ti_3:8, 2Ti_4:3-4; Tit_1:10-11; Heb_12:15-16
Some verses with examples of these characteristics are Achan, Ai, Saul, Sheba son of Bichri, Jannes and Jambres, and Esau-as Hebrews describes him:
Heb 12:15 Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled;
Heb 12:16 Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright.
Heb 12:17 For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears.
Sin, in itself, is a moral force of tremendous potency. Nothing finite or human can resist it, or counteract its maligning influence. Sin, when it is finished, brings forth death. That is the terrible law of sin, and nothing escapes it. The only thing that brings the sinner healing and deliverance, is the Atoning blood of Jesus Christ, when the repentant sinner recognizes they cannot save themselves, and turns to Him, for forgiveness of their sins, and receives his mercy and salvation. When a sinner comes to Jesus for cleansing, and forgiveness, our sins are cast as far as the east is from the west, and swallowed up in the depths of the sea. God forgives and forgets. Unfortunately, many times, people do not. I've learned to cling to Jesus like the woman who clung to His garment, like the woman who washed his feet with her tears. Jesus' love, is enough, there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, and are called according to His purpose. No matter what you've done-Jesus love is greater and deeper.
As a social moral force sin works on a broader field, and with the sweep and destructiveness of a cyclone, uprooting and destroying everything in its path. One cholera or fever-stricken man may infect a whole city: so one moral leper may impart the plague to all within the circle of his influence while living, and send the death-current down through many generations. One scoffer or infidel may blast the faith of a thousand souls. One bad book, the progeny of a single brain, may taint the morals of a nation.
Confine the view to a narrower social field—say the family, or the little neighborhood, or the single church—and the same alarming fact is brought to light. The narrower the sphere the more intimate and constant the contact, as a rule the stronger the influence exerted. One evil child often leads astray a whole family group; one evil companion corrupts a whole circle; one bad example suffices to destroy the integrity of the whole body.
Summary Lessons:
1. Be watchful and vigilant in regard to the first appearance of evil--
(1) in the individual himself. Timely rebuke, faithful admonition, earnest prayer and effort may arrest the tide of evil and save a sinner from the doom which he courts, and save society from the dreadful effects of an abandoned career.
(2) In the community in which he moves, in the way of warning, and in the way of hedging in and counteracting his destructive influence.
This is an ongoing aspect of spiritual warfare in the Christian life, that few preachers ever touch on, or preach about. It's unfortunate, because this is one of the greatest conflicts we face on a daily basis, both in our personal lives, and in ministry. How to counter the ongoing influences of the wickedness and evil influences of people in our lives, and learning to walk, and apply scripture to these conflicts is what is needed to equip the people of God, and help them stand against the evil we are surrounded with. Some verses that will steer the believer in the right direction are:
Eph 6:13 Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.
Read and study Ephesians ch. 6-and while you do, pray, and ask for Gods help, and strength to apply the verses in it.
Then go to :
1Co 9:24 Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain.
1Co 9:25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
Then, go on to:
Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.
Gal 6:8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
Gal 6:9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.
We know from these verses that it's God who fights our battles for us. Vengeance belongs to Him, our job is to stand in righteousness, remain in His peace, and let Him deal with our enemies. Our strength comes from applying God's word to our lives, and trust Him, that He will turn the tide. He is our shield and Buckler-under His wings, we abide in safety.
Jesus, Founder and Perfecter of Our Faith
Heb 12:1 Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When you've spent quality time studying these verses, and using a good Bible and cross referencing them-and praying as you go, it will go a long way in building up your inner man, and your spirit to be able to keep going on with God, when other's are falling apart. You'll learn how to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit in your spirit, guiding you in what to do, and how to go about your life. When you make a mistake (and we all do)-you will be quick to hear His correction, and get back on track, where you belong. Wisdom, strength, and discernment increases, as we spend this quality time in God's word, and apply it to our daily lives. Sadly, this is very much lacking today among Christians-who depend on the once a week sermon in the church they go to, and most do not bring a Bible with them. God's people die spiritually from lack of knowledge, and are biblically illiterate.
A word of encouragement; remember, and act on the fact, that while “one sinner destroyeth much good,” one devout, earnest praying Christian may set in motion moral influences and forces that can turn many to righteousness. More than once in times of prayer, the Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart that we will not know the full of impact for good we've had in this life, until we are shown in heaven. We many times see the obstructions, the rejections, and it seems our labor is in vain, but God has shown men more than once, the results of their toil, prayers and labor-that took years to come to pass. I'd suggest reading the story of Hudson Taylor, a man who went to China as a missionary, and what he encountered.
While we are running this race in this earth, when we've put our faith and trust in Christ, He's in this race with us, we are not alone. Whatever we encounter-He's there, willing and able to stand with us, and help make a way, where there may seem to be no way. He has promised to perfect that which concerns us.
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
1Co 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
May the Lord draw His people to Himself, and back to His Word, in these last days-that they be not destroyed by the rising tide of wickedness and evil flooding this world now. Jesus is coming soon, many are not ready. May the Holy Spirit do a quick work-to draw as many as possible to Jesus, while there's time.
Lorna Couillard
Heb 12:2 Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
When you've spent quality time studying these verses, and using a good Bible and cross referencing them-and praying as you go, it will go a long way in building up your inner man, and your spirit to be able to keep going on with God, when other's are falling apart. You'll learn how to hear the still small voice of the Holy Spirit in your spirit, guiding you in what to do, and how to go about your life. When you make a mistake (and we all do)-you will be quick to hear His correction, and get back on track, where you belong. Wisdom, strength, and discernment increases, as we spend this quality time in God's word, and apply it to our daily lives. Sadly, this is very much lacking today among Christians-who depend on the once a week sermon in the church they go to, and most do not bring a Bible with them. God's people die spiritually from lack of knowledge, and are biblically illiterate.
A word of encouragement; remember, and act on the fact, that while “one sinner destroyeth much good,” one devout, earnest praying Christian may set in motion moral influences and forces that can turn many to righteousness. More than once in times of prayer, the Holy Spirit has spoken to my heart that we will not know the full of impact for good we've had in this life, until we are shown in heaven. We many times see the obstructions, the rejections, and it seems our labor is in vain, but God has shown men more than once, the results of their toil, prayers and labor-that took years to come to pass. I'd suggest reading the story of Hudson Taylor, a man who went to China as a missionary, and what he encountered.
While we are running this race in this earth, when we've put our faith and trust in Christ, He's in this race with us, we are not alone. Whatever we encounter-He's there, willing and able to stand with us, and help make a way, where there may seem to be no way. He has promised to perfect that which concerns us.
Php 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
1Co 1:8 Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
1Co 1:9 God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
May the Lord draw His people to Himself, and back to His Word, in these last days-that they be not destroyed by the rising tide of wickedness and evil flooding this world now. Jesus is coming soon, many are not ready. May the Holy Spirit do a quick work-to draw as many as possible to Jesus, while there's time.
Lorna Couillard