Many do not see Christian ethics and values as different from other social values. However they appear different based on scripture. Christian values are based on God’s word and remain unchanged throughout the ages. In Job 23:13 the bible says God is unchangeable and who can change him? God does not change and so is his word, Mark 13:31; Luke 21:33.
Social values are however based on fleeting culture and traditions predicated on the logic of a changing society. They are influenced by man’s perverted wisdom, doctrine or philosophy. Key examples include the right of abortion at any stage, LGBTQI+, immorality, nudity, and corruption, among others. Christian values have been set out in the book of Ecclesiastes Chapter Ten as follows:
Life of purity
Ecclesiastics has likened our lives as a perfume ointment and admonished us to preserve it, verse 1. We preserve it if we reject things not of the spirit. The passage refers to none spiritual things as dead flies. They are things of no value and cannot be mixed with a perfumed ointment. They contaminate good flavor with evil odor just as folly is to wisdom and honour. Silly things overshadow worthy character. God’s Kingdom is not for a fornicator, an impure man or the covetous, Ephesians 5:5.
Prioritizing rightly
Christians must set the right priorities under God’s guidance, verse 2. The heart of a wise man should be towards what is right whilst a fool’s heart is towards the wrong. We cannot mix the two because there is no place for neutrality. We cannot serve two masters, Matthew 6:24; Luke 16:13. The narrow way or gate that leads to eternity has a different standard from the broad way or gate that leads to death. Our priority must first and always be God’s way. Combining both are contradictions of life. Joshua said he and his house have chosen to serve God, Joshua 24:15. What is your priority, God or pleasures of life?
Patience
Wherever a fool is, he shows his folly either in speech or conduct, verse 3. Patience eludes him when he encounters any person. The Holy Spirit shows patience. It enables us to act with wisdom. The wise with patience does not break relationships but a fool does, even with those that may assist in future. The passage cites haste as a pollutant of character. No wise person acts in haste. God is slow to anger but abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness, Exodus 34:6; Psalms 86:15; 103:8; 145:8. We must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger, James 1:19 just as the Lord is.
Humility
The writer cites an example of where by humility, slaves ride on horses whilst their masters though prices, walk. God opposes the proud, but gives grace to the humble, 1 Peter 5:5. Jesus said, whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and whoever humbles himself will be exalted, Matthew 23:12; Luke 14:11.We must accept God’s anger and chastisement in good faith when we err. This is elucidated in Ecclesiastes 10: 4-5. It has likened folly as evil in the high places when we rushes to catch recognition or power rather than waiting for events to naturally unfold. Let us always be humble.
Good heart
Those who contemplate evil will fall victims of their own trap, Ecclesiastics 10:8. The author likens betrayal to a serpent and a wall of secrecy. Betrayal comes when we break our oath of loyalty and secrecy. It is likened to a bite of a serpent which is poisonous or lethal and leads to death. The passage sees it as an evil that originates from the heart. Quarry and logging and hurt in the passage to signify destruction of natural things of value. By the writer, hurt is a natural consequence of a relationship that we must endure. We must let go of our pain, anger and suffering. Matthew 5:8 says blessed are the pure in heart, for they shall see God. Jeremiah 17:9 says the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt, who can understand it?
Wisdom
Wisdom is the key to resolving any other challenges, Ecclesiastics 10:10. The other means have been likened to a blunt iron that requires and wastes much energy to use when not sharpened. Wisdom like sharpened iron is rather easy to use without waste of energy. Our wisdom is Christ Jesus in all things and at all times. Wisdom comes from God so the bible says that if any lacks wisdom let him ask from God who gives freely and generously, James 1:5. Wisdom demands that we must be wise as serpents and innocent as doves, Matthew 10:16.
Discernment
We must preempt events through discernment, Ecclesiastics 10:11. Paul also says we must desire more spiritual gifts, 1 Corinthians 12:31 whilst Philippians 1:9 says our love may abound with knowledge and discernment. This gift allows us to act quickly without procrastination. It enables us to avoid errors just as a snake charmer has to prevent a snake bite with his charm when the snake is under his control. The relevance of the charm is to prevent not to cure bites. It is a gift that must not be wasted.
Bridled tongue
Ecclesiastes 10:12 talks about the tongue. It must be polite, decent and warm. It accounts for relationships and how far we can sometimes go in life. A wise man cannot wear the lips of a fool. The passage explains that by the tongue you could be consumed because the words of fools always start with foolishness and end with wickedness, madness or without sense. The tongue of a Christian must be measured. The tongue is likened to a little member that boasts of great things just like how a forest is set ablaze by a small fire or how the tongue is a fire or restless evil, full of deadly poison, James 3:5-8. The Bible says he that loves life must keep his tongue, 1 Peter 3:10.
Maturity
Ecclesiastes 10:15-16 says a fool does not know his environment. In effect he is not moderated by his circumstances. Christians must be led by maturity and not by childish thoughts and conduct. The passage explains that we should not possess the minds of children feasting when we should be thinking with fresh wisdom in the morning when the mind is fresh. The excitement of children at feasting is unrestrained. Hebrews 6:1 urges us to go on to maturity. Paul said when he was a child, he spoke like a child, thought like a child, and reasoned like a child but when he became a man, he gave up childish ways, 1 Corinthians 13:11. We need maturity to understand God and to walk with him.
Free spirit
Ecclesiastes 10:17-18 refers to freedom in the Lord. We are not slaves to sin but righteousness, Romans 6:18. The spirit of God has granted us liberty, Luke 4:18. That liberty must however be exercised with care otherwise we shall be a stumbling block to others, 1 Corinthians 8:9. So James 2:12 says we should speak and act as those who are to be judged under the law of liberty. God’s free spirit gives us strength and a clearer mind unlike a drunken person who cannot reason. We must not be indolent in exercising this liberty in Christ else evil will creep in. Indolence is not a Christian value.
Emulating Jesus
Ecclesiastes 10:19-20 make references to bread, wine and money. The reference says the purpose of bread is for laughter because it nourishes our body. Wine gives life, and money for pleasure. Spiritually, Jesus’ body is bread to us and his blood is wine for our living, Matthew 26:26-29. Jesus’ life like money has already made us rich in God, 1 Corinthians 4:8. Therefore all we need is Jesus. This was a prophetic message about Christ years before his birth. We must however be prepared to take up the cross and follow him if we want to walk with him, Matthew 16:24; Mark 8:34. Emulating the life of Jesus is a must for all Christians. Who is our role model?
Eschew gossip
The passage was written well before Christ was born. It takes cognizance of the fact that God is omniscient and omnipotent so he knows all things including what goes on in our chambers away from public eyes. God is the King who knows everything because the Holy Spirit like the bird carries everything to him. Before God, there is nothing hidden that he cannot know. You must hold on to the true values so that your prayers would be effective and be pleasing to God.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, your principles for life are true and pure. Lead us to embrace godliness as our way of life. In your holy name we pray. Amen!!
