The Deception
Part one of this two-part series tells the tale of how most of my nine fishes died within an hour of being in a new “water environment.” After taking them home from the pet store, I initially thought that the chlorinated tap water would have been perfect for their survival. I thought, since the tap water was ‘similarly salted’ as the sea that they would ‘generally live in’, then they would have been fine for dwelling (please don’t judge my chemistry and biology). I literally said to myself: “I could easily use tap water since fishes are very used to living in harsh, chlorinated waters anyways. Tap water should be very manageable for them! I gave little attention to the very faint voice, which must have been that of the Holy Spirit, saying: “Maybe, you should try using your drinking water instead”. I didn’t listen to that voice at all and after finding out that most and ultimately all my fishes had died, of course, it was then that I desperately wanted to rewind the time and simply listen. It was then that Proverbs chapter 14 verse 12 came so much more alive to me. There was really a way that seemed right unto me but in the end, led to death. My oh my!
The Displeasure
Whilst I laughed a little at myself when my fishes died, it was still painful in the end. Similarly, when it comes to God, the death of our souls is never a funny matter. The Lord is never delighted when we allow ourselves to dismiss the voice of His Holy Spirit, justify the things we want to do and follow through with those things just because they SEEM right to us.
The Discernment
The word “seem” means “to appear” or “to have a resemblance of.” In plainer terms, it means it may look right but it isn’t quite…all right, it may give us a certain feeling but it’s not the …right feeling to have, it may attract a particular attention but it’s not the…right attention to have, it may give a great amount of money, but it is not the…right kind of money to have. There are multiple avenues in our lives where we are faced with decisions to be made that would be “life and death” or critical to our next steps or maybe they are even simpler in nature. If we are not careful however, to hear God’s voice and do what is right, we will find ourselves settling for what is seemingly right and sadly, we will have to endure the repercussions in the end.
The Decision
How then, can we increase our opportunity and perfect our ability to go along RIGHT ways? Perhaps, we may need to:
1. Recognize that we do not know something.
2. Recognize exactly what we do know and what we do not know.
3. Ask others about the things we do not know.
{Whether asking God through prayer or speaking with a friend or person wiser in that area of need}
4. Give heed to the wise counsel
{Follow or incorporate the advice given by the advisor, as best possible}
5. Enjoy the rewards and the fruits of the right decisions made.
I am not aware of what ways you may be pursuing right now that may seem right to you on the surface but at the core of your heart, you sense that….it really isn’t. You know there is a voice that is asking you to consider doing something else. I encourage you not to be like me by following a path that will allow your fish to die…. your treasures, your integrity, your purity, your innocence, your anointing, your gifting … to die! Listen to the Spirit of God whispering and prompting you. Do not let that chlorinated bad decision poison your water of life in God. Choose the right path! Choose to bear fruits! Choose life… not death!
There is a way that seems right to a man,
But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs chapter14 verse 12)
Let us Pray
Father, You are the Giver of life and we thank You that we have access to this life through our access to You. I pray that the choices we make today, tomorrow and the rest of our lives will be ones that will not lead us to paths of death. I pray we will be sensitive and responsive to the leading of Your Holy Spirit instead of following ways that seem right to us. Help us we pray, in Jesus’ name I pray, AMEN
Melicha J. Smith originates and resides in Jamaica, West Indies. She has been involved in youth ministries for over 13 years and has served in the capacities of teacher, mentor, intercessor and missionary. Professionally she functions as a Registered Pharmacist.
Melicha enjoys and invests most of her time in writing, reading and listening to music. She loves a good game of football even though she understands VERY LITTLE about the game.
Melicha Smith is an author, speaker and founder of Reflective Hands Ministry.
Follow her on Instagram: @reflectivehandsja