How can we apply Ecclesiastes 7:28 to evaluate our relationships and choices? Setting the Verse in Context • Ecclesiastes 7:28: “while my soul was still seeking but not finding, I found one upright man among a thousand, but not one upright woman among them all.” • Solomon is not condemning women; he is lamenting the scarcity of anyone—male or female—whose life fully measures up to God’s standard of uprightness (cf. Ecclesiastes 7:20). • The verse highlights how rare genuine righteousness is in a fallen world and urges careful discernment in every relationship. Core Principle Drawn from the Verse • Upright character is precious and uncommon. • Because true integrity is rare, we must be deliberate in evaluating the influences we allow into our lives. Questions to Ask Ourselves When Assessing Relationships and Choices • Does this person consistently display godly integrity (Proverbs 20:6)? • Do our interactions draw me closer to holiness or nudge me toward compromise (1 Corinthians 15:33)? • Are we mutually challenging one another to fear God and keep His commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13)? Markings of Upright Character to Look For 1. Reverence for God (Psalm 112:1) 2. Truthfulness in speech (Ephesians 4:25) 3. Faithfulness in commitments (Psalm 15:4) 4. Humility and willingness to repent (James 4:6–10) 5. Evidence of the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22–23) Practical Steps for Evaluating Relationships • Observe patterns, not isolated moments. Righteousness is proven over time (Matthew 7:16). • Seek counsel from mature believers who know both you and the other person (Proverbs 11:14). • Compare every relationship against the standard of Scripture, not personal preference (Hebrews 4:12). • Be willing to limit or end relationships that consistently pull you from obedience (2 Corinthians 6:14). Applying the Verse to Personal Choices • Career decisions: Will this path place me among people who prize integrity? • Entertainment: Does this consumption normalize sin or celebrate virtue (Philippians 4:8)? • Ministry involvement: Am I partnering with those who hold firmly to sound doctrine (Titus 1:9)? • Marriage and dating: Is the person marked by a growing love for Christ (Proverbs 31:30; Ephesians 5:25–27)? Guarding Our Own Hearts • The rarity of uprightness calls us to self-examination (2 Corinthians 13:5). • Invite God to expose any hidden sin so that you, too, may be counted among the upright (Psalm 139:23–24). • Pursue sanctification daily, remembering that Christ alone makes true righteousness possible (2 Corinthians 5:21). Encouragement to Persevere • Though upright companions may seem scarce, God always preserves a remnant (1 Kings 19:18). • Seek, pray, and cultivate relationships grounded in shared submission to God’s Word; He is faithful to provide the fellowship we need (Hebrews 10:24–25). |
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