Use Wisdom
Book of Ecclesiastes • Sermon • Submitted • Presented
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Since a little folly can ruin the strength of wisdom, use wisdom to navigate your way through life.
Since a little folly can ruin the strength of wisdom, use wisdom to navigate your way through life.
Bible Reading
Bible Reading
Today wisdom is available to us. Before us is “truth for life.”
A collection of loosely connected proverbs to help us in our everyday life.
Solomon hammers the point home with many nails.
Wisdom is the accumulation of “boy I am never going to do that again.”
Wisdom is knowing the facts, discerning the situation, and having the courage to act.
The Teacher shows us how a little folly can spoil even the strongest wisdom—and calls us to walk in wisdom in all of life.
Psalm 90:12 “12 So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom.”
Sermon Introduction
Sermon Introduction
The Great Molasses Flood (Boston, 1919)
The Great Molasses Flood (Boston, 1919)
Theme: One careless oversight turned into a sticky disaster.
The Story:
In Boston, Massachusetts, a giant steel tank was built to hold over 2 million gallons of molasses (used to make rum and industrial alcohol). It stood right near a busy part of the city.
But here's the thing:
The tank was poorly constructed.
It leaked from the start.
The company even painted it brown so people wouldn’t notice the leaks.
Then came January 15, 1919.
On an unseasonably warm day, the molasses inside expanded. The pressure built. And suddenly…
BOOM!
The tank exploded, releasing a 25-foot wave of molasses that moved through the streets at 35 miles per hour!
The Aftermath:
21 people were killed, over 150 injured.
Buildings were knocked off their foundations.
Rescue workers said it was like trying to walk through quicksand.
The entire North End of Boston smelled like molasses for months.
Wisdom is
Wisdom is
knowing the facts,
discerning the situation,
and having the courage to act.
I. Use wisdom in how you respond—stay calm and grounded.
I. Use wisdom in how you respond—stay calm and grounded.
A. Wisdom has great strength, even when it goes unnoticed
A. Wisdom has great strength, even when it goes unnoticed
Ecclesiastes 9:14–16 “14 There was a little city, and few men within it; and there came a great king against it, and besieged it, and built great bulwarks against it: 15 Now there was found in it a poor wise man, and he by his wisdom delivered the city; yet no man remembered that same poor man. 16 Then said I, Wisdom is better than strength: nevertheless the poor man’s wisdom is despised, and his words are not heard.”
A poor wise man delivered a city by his wisdom, though he had no status (9:14–15).
Though forgotten, his wisdom was stronger than might (9:16a).
Quiet words of the wise are better than the shouting of fools (9:17). Ecclesiastes 9:17 “17 The words of wise men are heard in quiet more than the cry of him that ruleth among fools.”
Wisdom may be quiet and overlooked, but it can do what strength and status cannot—save a city.
B. However, a small amount of folly can outweigh great wisdom and honor
B. However, a small amount of folly can outweigh great wisdom and honor
Ecclesiastes 9:18–10:1 “18 Wisdom is better than weapons of war: but one sinner destroyeth much good. 1 Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savour: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.”
Foolishness is not just a personal flaw—it’s a public hazard. (9:18b).
Like dead flies in perfume, a little folly ruins a good reputation (10:1).
Folly, though small, can have disproportionate consequences (10:1).
Easier to ruin something than to create something.
Riding a scooter at the Wilds.
Esau’s impulse for the soup over his birthright
Moses striking the rock in a moment of frustration
This chapter helps us move from the ‘is’ of observation to the ‘ought’ of wise living.
C. I must respond to anger and conflict with calm wisdom
C. I must respond to anger and conflict with calm wisdom
Ecclesiastes 10:2–4 “2 A wise man’s heart is at his right hand; but a fool’s heart at his left. 3 Yea also, when he that is a fool walketh by the way, his wisdom faileth him, and he saith to every one that he is a fool. 4 If the spirit of the ruler rise up against thee, leave not thy place; for yielding pacifieth great offences.”
The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the fool to the left (10:2).
Right is seen as good and left is seen as foolish. (Who is left handed?)
Fools show their folly even in everyday situations (10:3).
Calmness can undo great offenses; don’t leave your post in anger (10:4).
“The huff: that absurd human phenomenon.” - Derik Kidner
Walking away in a fit of pride feels impressive but is actually immature.
1 Peter 2:18–20 “18 Servants, be subject to your masters with all fear; not only to the good and gentle, but also to the froward. 19 For this is thankworthy, if a man for conscience toward God endure grief, suffering wrongfully. 20 For what glory is it, if, when ye be buffeted for your faults, ye shall take it patiently? but if, when ye do well, and suffer for it, ye take it patiently, this is acceptable with God.”
Benedict Arnold and the idea that panic or pride can turn a patriot into a traitor.
II. Use wisdom in how you work—act with care and preparation.
II. Use wisdom in how you work—act with care and preparation.
A. In this world foolishness is often honored and wisdom is ignored.
A. In this world foolishness is often honored and wisdom is ignored.
Ecclesiastes 10:5–7 “5 There is an evil which I have seen under the sun, as an error which proceedeth from the ruler: 6 Folly is set in great dignity, and the rich sit in low place. 7 I have seen servants upon horses, and princes walking as servants upon the earth.”
An error by someone in charge can place fools in high positions (10:5–6).
Incompetent people are elevated, while the capable are sidelined (10:6).
Servants may ride while princes walk—an upside-down world (10:7).
Folly rises when leaders fail—because when wisdom is absent at the top, confusion spreads everywhere else. - Pray those in authority have wisdom.
B. Leadership is risky, we need wisdom.
B. Leadership is risky, we need wisdom.
Ecclesiastes 10:8–9 “8 He that diggeth a pit shall fall into it; and whoso breaketh an hedge, a serpent shall bite him. 9 Whoso removeth stones shall be hurt therewith; and he that cleaveth wood shall be endangered thereby.”
In trying to set a trap for others you may trap yourself. (10:8)
When you try to move the walls or make change you may get bit. (10:8)
Moving stones or splitting logs without caution can be dangerous (10:9)
Leaders who act without wisdom may injure others — or themselves. The traps they set, the changes they force, or the weight they move without caution can backfire. Wisdom isn’t just about strategy; it’s about humility, timing, and care. - Lead with wisdom, not just emotion.
C. Wisdom makes everyday work more effective and safe.
C. Wisdom makes everyday work more effective and safe.
Ecclesiastes 10:10–11 “10 If the iron be blunt, and he do not whet the edge, then must he put to more strength: but wisdom is profitable to direct. 11 Surely the serpent will bite without enchantment; and a babbler is no better.”
A dull ax requires more effort, but wisdom brings success (10:10)
A snake bites, if not charmed in time—wisdom avoids danger (10:11)
Simply: Skillful preparation is a mark of wise living.
Wisdom is the edge that makes effort effective — without it, we work harder and risk more. Preparation isn’t wasted time; it’s the key to success and safety.
Story of splitting wood with an ax at Crossings at the Creek.
III. Use wisdom in how you speak—speak with restraint and thoughtfulness.
III. Use wisdom in how you speak—speak with restraint and thoughtfulness.
A. Wise words benefit, but foolish words bring destruction
A. Wise words benefit, but foolish words bring destruction
Ecclesiastes 10:12–13 “12 The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but the lips of a fool will swallow up himself. 13 The beginning of the words of his mouth is foolishness: and the end of his talk is mischievous madness.”
The words of the wise bring favor (10:12a).
The lips of fools consume them—they bring their own ruin (10:12b).
Fools speak endlessly, progressing from folly to madness (10:13).
B. Fools talk about things they do not understand
B. Fools talk about things they do not understand
Ecclesiastes 10:14–15 “14 A fool also is full of words: a man cannot tell what shall be; and what shall be after him, who can tell him? 15 The labour of the foolish wearieth every one of them, because he knoweth not how to go to the city.”
Fools ramble on, even about the future, which no one knows (10:14a).
No one can predict what will happen—fools pretend they can (10:14b).
Some people are exhausted by their own stupidity (10:15)
We often say, “We know you are going through alot” when we really want to say. “You sure have made a mess of things.”
Some are overwhelmed by nothing... “that boy could get lost on an escalator.”
C. Careless speech, even in private, can have serious consequences
C. Careless speech, even in private, can have serious consequences
Ecclesiastes 10:20 “20 Curse not the king, no not in thy thought; and curse not the rich in thy bedchamber: for a bird of the air shall carry the voice, and that which hath wings shall tell the matter.”
Speaking foolishly about leaders or others can lead to trouble (10:20a).
Even thoughts can be betrayed—a bird may carry your voice (10:20b).
Every heard “A little birdie told me?”
Wisdom teaches restraint in both speech and thought (10:20).
Conclusion: Choose Wisdom Every Day
Conclusion: Choose Wisdom Every Day
Ecclesiastes gives us unforgettable images:
Dead flies ruining perfume (10:1)
Snakes striking the unprepared (10:8, 11)
Birds carrying careless words (10:20)
Each illustrates how small things—like a rash word or foolish impulse—can cause great harm.
So what should we do?
Use wisdom in how you respond—stay calm and grounded.
Use wisdom in how you work—act with care and preparation.
Use wisdom in how you speak—speak with restraint and thoughtfulness.
This message echoes throughout Scripture:
Matthew 10:16 – Be smart and gentle in a dangerous world.
Ephesians 5:15–17 – Live wisely and make the most of your time.
Colossians 4:6 – Speak kindly and with purpose.
So, what are we to do?
So, what are we to do?
I think we can all take inventory and see that we do not always avail our selves to the wisdom available to us.
When reading wisdom literature, Christians should:
Humble ourselves before God’s truth
Apply it to real life
Look for Christ, the wisdom of God
Live it out with integrity and joy
Prayer
To become wise, a non-Christian must become a fool—by the world’s standards.
To become wise, a non-Christian must become a fool—by the world’s standards.
True wisdom begins by rejecting the world’s version of wisdom and embracing what seems foolish in the world’s eyes: faith in the crucified Christ
To gain God’s wisdom, one must:
To gain God’s wisdom, one must:
Let go of pride in human intellect or cultural approval
Gladly embrace the “foolishness” of the cross
Find joy in being misunderstood or mocked for following Jesus
Stop fearing the world’s judgment. Start fearing God. Come to Christ.
Only then can a person be truly wise.
1 Corinthians 3:18“18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.”
