"DEAD FLIES cause the ointment of the perfumer to putrefy [and] send forth a vile odor; so does a little folly [in him who is valued for wisdom] OUTWEIGH wisdom and honor."  -King Solomon

What dead flies exist in your life?

Dead flies HINDER us from advancing in effective leadership, relationships, authority, power and influence.
 
I was working yesterday and had an aggressive fly in my home office.  It was buzzing around my head, slamming against the window, then back around my head again.  It was a horrible distraction that hindered me from concentrating, so I got up with a deadly intent to destroy the fly (nuisance) so I could refocus and complete my project.
 
Flies have been a major nuisance to humans for thousands of years. Pest experts say that "fly control begins outdoors" because FLIES COME FROM THE OUTSIDE.  And because they are attracted to garbage, sewage, rotting debris, carcasses, sugar and fruit in or around the house, flies transmit disease causing dangerous organisms.   
 
Likewise, there are spiritual flies that exist to bring disasterous entities into our lives; spiritual flies of self-delusion, self-deception, self-rejection, self-pity, anger, pride, lust, unteachableness, false compassion, false responsibility, greed, manipulation, resentment, unforgiveness, unfairness, distrust and paranoia that distract our ability to lead others.

Solomon wrote that despite our material success, position and fame in society, just a little folly in our lives outweigh all the wisdom and honor we have.  That word "folly" in Greek and Hebrew means: a crime, moral wickedness, madness, foolishness, stupidity, senselessness, egotism, recklessness or rage; it means to do something with no purpose.

As leaders, we must identify and deal with the "little" frivolous things we do in our lives that have no purpose.

We must war against unproductive, vain thinking and behavior.  Small areas of disobedience bring great dishonor in our lives.  Yet, knowing the incredible call on our lives, God loved us enough to reveal the insects (the small things) that outweigh all the great things we are doing because they produce vile odors in our leadership.

What smells good in your life?

What STINKS? 

We must deal with the attraction of flies or the spirit of "Beelzebub" that exists in our lives.  "Beelzebub" in Greek means, the lord of the flies; he is a dung god that seeks to tarnish our anointing, influence and Kingdom authority. He seeks to disqualify us from our crown (our distinction, set apartness, the authority that is bound about our head; our ability to make princes, rule, have power and reign.)

Interestingly, the only reason (in the passage above) the flies were dead was because they were permitted to hang around long enough to touch what was precious and anointed.  The enemy loves to bring "flies" that putrefy or cut off the gift in our lives. 

Dictionary.com defines that word, "putrefy" as this: to become putrid, gangrenous or rot.  (Gangrene is simply "death of a living thing due to obstructed circulation.")

We must beware of anything that would that will kill or obstruct the flow of our leadership call.

Jesus said, in Matthew 10:36: "And a man's foes will be they of his own household." 

Jesus wasn't just talking about disagreeable people (in your family.)  He was also talking about the foes that are IN THIS HOUSE (MY LIFE AND LEADERSHIP); the habits, the mindsets, and strongholds that we have not overthrown (that are still within) and have no other place but to come out during conflict or pressure.

When you accept the call God has placed on your life, you will undoubtedly face adversity and pressure both without and within.  Often, you will face so much pressure from the OUTSIDE that it will shift your attention and focus from enemies INWARDLY trying to keep you from fulfilling your destiny.