Fly In the Perfume

Defilements of the Heart

By: Don Pirozok

Narrated by: Virtual Voice

The imagery of a fly in the ointment, or perfume, serves as a powerful metaphor for the defilements of the heart. This vivid picture, drawn from Ecclesiastes 10:1, states, “Dead flies cause the ointment of the apothecary to send forth a stinking savor: so doth a little folly him that is in reputation for wisdom and honour.” The heart, much like the ointment, is created by God to exude purity and fragrance through the righteousness and character of Christ. However, even a small defilement, like a dead fly, can spoil the fragrance, leading to spiritual corruption and damage.
Defilements of the heart are not always grand or visible; they are often subtle and unnoticed, but their impact is significant. Jesus taught about the heart’s central role in spiritual life when He said, “For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man” (Matthew 15:19-20). This shows that sin originates within, not from external influences alone, and emphasizes the necessity of guarding the heart.
The Perfume: A Symbol of Christlike Purity
The metaphor of perfume represents the purity, beauty, and holiness that believers are called to exhibit. Just as perfume is crafted with care by apothecaries, our hearts are designed by God to reflect His glory. The Apostle Paul wrote, “For we are to God the pleasing aroma of Christ among those who are being saved and those who are perishing” (2 Corinthians 2:15, NIV). This verse highlights how believers, in their words and actions, emanate the fragrance of Christ to the world. However, this fragrance can be marred when the heart becomes contaminated by sin.