Just as a ‘fly in the ointment’ contaminates the oil, so, too, does sinful weakness damage a believer’s reputation. For when those thought to be upstanding are found morally deficient, their honor and good name are lost within their communities.
So though, in this life, none who are called “righteous” are expected to behave perfectly in all they say or do, yet if Christ reigns in their hearts, then evil should be avoided or shunned at every turn. However, among the saints today there has developed an internal acceptance of sin, which, in a sense, leaves the fly right where he is. For it would seem a much easier task to allow what some would consider even a small character flaw to remain rooted in their hearts.
And while most attempt to keep this part of themselves hidden from public view, there are those among the brethren who openly flaunt their partnership with sin, thus spoiling the sweet fragrance that was meant to affect the atmosphere of this world as it flows out from the Church.
It is time, however, for this to change. For in order to see the Church become an effective witness of Christ to this generation of man, the tolerance for sin can no longer dwell in her midst, as who, upon sampling the scent of fine perfume, would purchase it if its contents were tainted with the stench of dead bugs? Most would pass by any merchant who was selling such foul smelling wares.
Therefore, the tolerance for worldliness within believers must no longer be the norm. For to become more like My Son should be their greater pursuit, leaving behind sinful habits and the appetites of the flesh; which haven’t any place within the Body, as those who were placed in Christ the Savior were given the power over sin; which is why they are left without an excuse when purposefully keeping sin alive in their hearts.
So no longer walk as do the foolish, who see nothing wrong with entertaining a little sin; there is no wisdom found in this idea. For what may seem to be harmless can wind up ruining your witness in the end. Then to say to yourself, “It’s such a small sin, what does it matter?”, is a trap set by Beelzabub, the one known as the “lord of the flies”.
So don’t be caught in his snare, as he is only ever after one thing: to eventually destroy My offspring. This is the reason My own must put off every appearance of evil, as even a false accusation can ruin a man, since a lie is easier to believe than the truth.
Resist the temptation to stay attached to sin. Seek to break free from any fleshly habits from the past. Know that I am calling the Church up to a higher level of existence, where the bar is set at “holiness”, and believers must seek to live a life that exemplifies this standard.
“As dead flies give perfume a bad smell, so a little folly outweighs wisdom and honor. The heart of the wise inclines to the right, but the heart of the fool to the left.” -Ecclesiastes 10:1