How to Build Strong Character

Ecclesiastes 10

Ecclesiastes, Part 16

Solomon begins to draw this book to a close and is heading toward his conclusion. He has considered:
1. The monotony of life
2. The vanity of wisdom
3. The futility of wealth
4. The certainty of death

In this chapter Solomon begins with a vivid word picture: a dead fly in a bottle of perfume. Not too many things are dirtier than a fly, and a dead fly will cause the best perfume to be worthless. Similarly, a little foolishness ruins a man's entire reputation. It only takes a minute to spoil a reputation that has taken a lifetime to build. In this chapter he uses the word "folly" nine times.

Folly causes a man's reputation to stink! Prov.22:1, a good name is rather to be chosen than great riches. A man's self worth is worth more than his net worth. Ecc.7:1 says a "good name is better than precious ointment."

What is he saying? We need to have strong character. Character is the beliefs that motivate you to act and respond a certain way. It is what is on the inside, what you are in the dark.

The wise in heart has power in his hand. v.2,3. "The wise man's heart is at his right hand," Remember that the heart is our MASTER CONTROL; the heart is he center of human intellect, emotion, and will. In Scripture, the right hand speaks of power while the left hand represents weakness. A wise man's heart is in the right place. The wise uses his heart to do great and powerful things for good. His heart is under control, keeping it with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. He is disciplined to do what he needs to do, not what he merely wants. A person with godly character will do God's will, and not fall to the peer pressure of the world, flesh, and the devil.

Sometimes fools are promoted to high positions. Solomon says that sometimes "folly is set in great dignity," and sometimes princes walk as servants and servants sit upon horses. What he is saying here is that sometimes fools are promoted to high positions. People with weak character sometimes sit in great dignity.

We need to build character into our lives. Integrity is the foundation to true success. In America, we have a character crisis. Militarily, secret agents selling secrets for sex, in Wall Street we have men in jail for price fixing. Religiously we see men in pulpits who are immoral.

1. WORK WISER, NOT JUST HARDER, v.8-11

A. Read verses 8-9 and ask: How does the wise worker sees potential dangers in work?

If you dig a pit, be careful not to fall in. Take the proper precautions. If you break down a building, be sure there are not snakes in it to bite you. If you remove stones, be careful they do not fall on top of you. Do not be careless, and do not work with overconfidence. Snakes would sometimes nestle in the cracks and crevices of buildings. We must be conscious of danger, and guard against it. A wise person sees danger before the action is done.

B. What is the work principle found in verse 10?
The wise worker uses a sharp ax. A sharp edge is just as important as hard work. It is good to work hard, but it is better to work wise. What good is it to work hard chopping wood and not have a sharp ax? As we minister for the Lord, we ought to have a sharp edge. We must study the Bible and pray to have a sharp edge. We must guard against just being busy for the Lord and not prepared for the work of the Lord.

C. The wise worker exercises patience. v.11.
Here is the picture of a snake charmer. They were common as entertainers in that day. Solomon describes a man who was bitten by the snake before the snake was properly charmed. He lacked patience. He wanted a quick dollar, but instead he received nothing but a snake bite. He rushed and acted rashly, not patiently. Are you patient in you work? Do you rush the job you are doing? If so, you will make mistakes and probably end up taking a longer time doing the job anyway.

2. TALK GRACIOUSLY, v.12-15

For each verse between 12-15, what principle regarding the tongue can you find?

A. A wise person speaks words that BUILD UP, a fool's words are Destructive, v.12.

Prov.18:7, A fool's mouth is his destruction, and his lips are the snare of his soul.
Many have destroyed others with their slanderous lips and ultimately themselves. Many TV trash talk shows parade ungodly, abnormal, destructive speaking people before the eyes of many Americans.

B. Wicked words, v.13

The words of a crude comedian, mocking God, making fun of the sacredness things like marital union, mocking the husband's headship, etc.
Prov.10:32, The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable: but the mouth of the wicked speaketh frowardness.

C. Uncontrolled Words, v.14

A fool does not know when to stop talking. The wise person knows when to say nothing.
Prov.15:2, "The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness."
Titus 1:10 talks about religious people who are "unruly and vain talkers and deceivers..."
Prov.17:28, Even a fool, when he holdeth his peace, is counted wise: and he that shutteth his lips is esteemed a man of understanding.

D. Boastful words, v.15

"He knoweth not how to get into the city."
The fool boasts about his future plans, but he can't even find his way to the city. We use the an expression, "He can't find his way out of a paper bag" or "he doesn't know how to go up in the elevator."
Prov.25:14, Whoso boasteth himself of a false gift is like clouds and wind without rain.

Some are so quick to tell you all the things they can do. They can cook, they can sing, they can do this or do that. They brag and tell you all the things they did 20 years ago. They make promises about what they will do. They boast about what they know. But wait! What do we have to boast about? JESUS! We do not know what will happen tomorrow, so we should not boast about all the great things we think we are going to do.

3. LEAD WATCHFULLY, v.16-20

In these verses, Solomon reveals some negative traits regarding leadership.
Read the verses and ask, What negative principles of leadership are found in each verse?

A. Immaturity, v.16-17

Immature leaders see the privileges and ignore the responsibilities; mature people see the responsibilities as privileges and use them to help others. Be a leader for God in your family, church, and place of employment!

B. Idleness, v.18

When laziness rules, things fall apart. We should be people of initiative, not laziness. Pray about starting a ministry in this church, or get involved in present ministry: a Bible study, a visitation outreach, hospital outreach, tract ministry.

C. Indulgence, v.19

Even while the house is breaking down, the fool lives it up with wine and luxury. Some people want power to fulfill their lusts for luxury. The indulgent person is indifferent to the responsibilities of the office and the needs of the people. He loves things and uses people, rather than loving people and using things!

D. Indiscretion, v.20

These verses picture a group of officers having a party and speaking lightly of the king. Instead of toasting the king, they recklessly curse him. They would not do this if the king was present, and they were sure their words would be kept secret. Some people say things and forget that their words have consequences. The expression "A little birdie told me" probably comes from this verse! When you curse the king or others in authority, "a bird of the air shall carry the voice" and "tell the matter."