How should we avoid the deceptions of the world around us? Let’s look at Ecclesiastes 5.
Should we talk too much or think first when we go into the house of the Lord?
Be careful what you do when you enter the house of God. Fools go there to offer sacrifices, because all they do is sin. But it's best just to listen when you go to worship. Don't talk before you think or make promises to God without thinking them through. God is in heaven, and you are on earth, so don't talk too much. If you keep thinking about something, you will dream about it. If you talk too much, you will say the wrong thing. (Ecc 5:1-3 CEV)
When we pray to God should we do what we promised Him?
When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the one you must fear. (Ecc 5:4-7 ESV)
Should we be shocked that oppression of the poor and the miscarriage of justice still exist in our world?
If you see oppression of the poor and perversion of justice and righteousness in the province, don’t be astonished at the situation, because one official protects another official, and higher officials protect them. The profit from the land is taken by all; the king is served by the field. (Ecc 5:8-9 HCSB)
Do money and possessions satisfy or do people always want more, more, more?
Whoever loves money will never have enough money. Whoever loves luxury will not be content with abundance. This also is pointless. When possessions increase, so does the number of consumers; therefore what good are they to their owners, except to look at them? Sweet is the sleep of a working man, whether he eats a little or a lot, but the excess wealth of the rich will not allow him to rest. (Ecc 5:10-12 ISV)
Is the selfish accumulation and hoarding of wealth an evil that only hurts those involved?
There is a sore evil which I have seen under the sun, namely, riches kept for the owners thereof to their hurt. But those riches perish by evil travail: and he begetteth a son, and there is nothing in his hand. As he came forth of his mother's womb, naked shall he return to go as he came, and shall take nothing of his labour, which he may carry away in his hand. And this also is a sore evil, that in all points as he came, so shall he go: and what profit hath he that hath laboured for the wind? All his days also he eateth in darkness, and he hath much sorrow and wrath with his sickness. (Ecc 5:13-17 KJV)
In a world with so much evil is there anything that is good and beautiful?
Here is what I have seen to be good, which is beautiful: to eat, to drink, and to see good in all one’s labor in which he labors under the sun during the few days of his life which God has given him; for this is his portion. Furthermore, as for every man to whom God has given riches and wealth, He has also empowered him to eat from them and to take up his portion and be glad in his labor; this is the gift of God. For he will not remember much the days of his life because God allows him to occupy himself with the gladness of his heart. (Ecc 5:18-20 LSB)
In a world with so much evil what can we do to maintain a positive mental attitude?
Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is commendable, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, think about these things. (Phil 4:8 NASB)
How should we avoid the deceptions of the world around us? You decide!
