Be Wary of Eating Honey

I like eating honey. I especially enjoy putting it on my biscuits. In fact, I know someone who can get a good deal on purchasing honey. Many people like honey, and it was common in the Bible. John the Baptizer ate locusts and wild honey (Matthew 3:4; Mark 1:6). Samson found honey inside of the carcass of a lion, and made a riddle about it.

Honey is good! The wise man wrote, “My son, eat honey because it is good, and the honeycomb which is sweet to your taste; so shall the knowledge of wisdom be to your soul; if you have found it, there is a prospect, and your hope will not be cut off (Proverbs 24:13-14).” Just as honey is good, it must be taken in the proper amount. Later the wise man warned: “Have you found honey? Eat only as much as you need, lest you be filled with it and vomit (Proverbs 25:16).” Also, “It is not good to eat much honey; so to seek one’s own glory is not glory (Proverbs 25:27).”

It is good to enjoy honey in its proper amount, but if one gets too much it can do more harm than good. Similarly, the wise man says knowledge is good to the soul. Proper knowledge of God’s Word can guide a soul to salvation (Colossians 1:9-10). Glorying in self and not in the Lord is vain (1 Corinthians 1:26-31; 5:6).

Next time you reach for the honey, remember to eat it in the right amount. Perhaps in so doing you will be reminded to gain knowledge of God’s Word and glory in the Lord!