No Days Off

Ecclesiastes 10:1

Flies in the perfume

Diligence that is Required 

It takes time, attention and persistent diligence to mix oils and make perfume. 

the skill that is required 

This was not guesswork.

The perfumer had to:

measure exact quantities

balance strong and subtle scents

know how heat affects oils

understand how ingredients interact

prevent fermentation or spoilage

seal the mixture properly

It was a craft, not a hobby.

This is why the metaphor is so powerful:  

Wisdom is crafted. Folly is careless.

Perfume was mixed in:

stone jars

alabaster containers

sealed vessels

The perfumer had to keep:

insects out

dust out

moisture out

impurities out

One small contaminant could spoil the entire mixture.

This is exactly Solomon’s point:  

This Bible passage is speaking specifically to building A life with character and godly integrity. 

A testimony for Jesus requires time in prayer, confession, repentance, examination. We died to self and empty ourselves.

Building a life that reflects Jesus requires attention to the Word of God, the Life of Jesus and the ministry of the Holy Spirit. 

Integrity is developed in the heat of trials and temptations where we make choices to honor God or yield to our fleshly desires. 

These trials and temptations do not build character but they reveal character. 

What do we do when we fail the test or shrink away in the trial or get consumed with the temptation? Do when hide in the darkness or do we run to the light? 

No Christian passes every test or comes out victorious every trial or stands firm in every temptation. How do we respond?

Distraction that is Costly

The perfumer has to protect his work from the flies that his work attracts.

Research what attracts flies to perfume and how a fly causes it to stink

A godly testimony attracts threats. Satan and his demons wish to spoil your life and godly testimony. He wishes to make it stink. He works to steal its beautiful scene and godly influence.

The scripture teaches the children of God 

We have an adversary 

Put on the armor of God

Be sober and alert

As we empty our self

Deny ourselves 

Take up our cross

Ready the word

Study the word

Obey the word

Apply the word

Pray

Worship

Serve

We must not become distracted by lesser things than our calling and purpose and mission.

Distractions are Dangerous to the man or woman building and life, a testimony, a family, a business, a ministry.

Satan has a scheme. He will distract you with a lesser evil so he can destroy your life with a greater evil.

Like a skilled magician who draws our attention just long enough for the big deception.

Damage that is Irreparable

If the perfumer looses focus and become distracted and a fly lands in his work it can ruin the whole work.

why a single fly can ruin perfume.

A fly, however, carries:

bacteria

decay

corruption

uncleanness

When it dies in the perfume, it contaminates the whole batch.

Ancient ointments were oil‑based.  

When a dead insect fell in:

the body decomposed

gases formed

the mixture soured

the fragrance turned into a stench

It didn’t take many flies.  

One was enough to start the chemical breakdown.

John 10:10

The thief comes to

Kill

Steal 

Destroy 

The Devil doesn’t care how he ruins your life just so that he can render you useless