A Fish Always Begins to Stink at the Head

Brittni Laughlin
Jul 4
4 min read

Updated: Jul 14

“A fish always begins to stink at the head” is corporate jargon for saying leadership is the cause of an unsuccessful business or its organizational failures. Typically, that is a true statement not only in business, but in our country, communities, churches, and homes. If the head is not aligned with the Father, the rest of the body is out of sync.

Let’s go deeper here and consider how this applies to us individually. Have you ever heard the phrase “stink’n think’n”? That begins at the head, right? If our thoughts are not aligned with the Father’s, our whole being is out of sync which translates to a life of chaos and disorder.

Why It Matters What We Think

King David wrote in Psalm 139 ESV:

“O Lord, You have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; You discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways.”

This verse illustrates just how closely God hovers over us. Another verse in Isaiah says God will answer while we are speaking – before we finish our thoughts, because He already knows them. This brings an awareness to my spirit. Just what am I thinking about? Is it pleasing to the Lord, or is it vain and worthless?

Go read: Psalm 139:1-2, Psalm 94:11

Benefits and Consequences

Thoughts, whether rooted in wisdom from God or shaped by worldly influences, define the course of our lives. Examining the impact of right versus wrong thinking reveals a profound truth: the condition of our minds influences transformation, peace, and spiritual insight—or leads to instability, corruption, and spiritual decay.

Benefits of Right Thinking

1. We are transformed. Scripture tells us that when we do not think as the world thinks, but we renew our minds in Him, we are transformed!

2. We are kept in perfect peace. When we keep our thoughts on Jesus, trusting in Him, He keeps us in His perfect peace. This is peace that surpasses comprehension, and it guards our hearts and minds.

3. We receive revelation. When our minds are on things above, we can see and hear and partake of the Spirit. I love this passage in Jeremiah 33:3, “Call to me and I will answer you and will tell you great and hidden things that you have not known.”

4. We have all that we need. When we receive the knowledge of Him, we have everything we need to live godly lives and to walk in the calling He has given to each of us.

Go read: Jeremiah 33:3, Romans 12:2-3, Isaiah 26:3, Philippians 4:4-9, 1 Corinthians 2:11-16, 2 Peter 1:3

Consequences of Wrong Thinking

1. We are unstable. Have you ever found yourself between both worlds? One minute, you see God in everything and trust Him to be King of your life. In the next minute, however, you do not acknowledge Him in your thoughts, situations, or decisions. This is being double-minded, which is nothing short of instability. There is no consistency and certainly no order.

2. We are defiled. The first chapter of Titus tells us that if we are not pure, but unbelieving and corrupt, our minds and consciousness are defiled and polluted. The ESV translation states, “Nothing is pure.”

3. We are depraved. Paul tells us in Romans 1 that men became self-confident fools and stopped relying on God’s wisdom and began to serve other gods. So, He left them to their depravity. Let us strive to keep God first and discern His thoughts about everything so that we are not given up to our own vices.

4. Death will come to us. Most often, sin begins with a thought. If we entertain that thought long enough, we act on it —we sin. Sin not dealt with “gives birth to death.” This may not be a mortal death at that moment, but it can bring death to your motivation, death to your faith, death in your mind, and ultimately death to your calling, or even death to your relationship with Jesus, who is our very lifeline!

Go read: James 1:8, Titus 1:15, Romans 1:28, James 1:14-15

How to Stop the Rot

So, now that we know what we know, how do we stop the rot and get back in alignment with our Father?

1. Renew your mind so you may be transformed. Take off the old and put on the new!

2. Take every thought captive so that you are obedient to Christ.

3. Walk in wisdom so you may be delivered.

4. Walk in maturity so that you are only innocent of evil things, but not childish in your thinking.

5. Lean not on your own understanding so that things are pleasant and wisdom will flow from your lips and your paths will be straight.

5. Set your mind on things above because you have died and are now hidden in Christ! You should now share His mindset. Matthew instructs us to love Him with all our heart, soul, and mind!

6. Be sober-minded and prepare your mind for action so that you may hope in the grace that comes through the revelation of our Lord, Jesus Christ!

Go read: Romans 12:2-3, Ephesians 4:22-24, 2 Corinthians 10:5, 1 Corinthians 14:20, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 22:17, Proverbs 3:5-7, Colossians 3:2, Philippians 2:5, Matthew 22:37, 1 Peter 1:13, Romans 7:22-25

Conclusion

Two psalms written by David bring it all together for us. In the first passage, he writes that he is not so arrogant as to worry about the things he cannot control but relies confidently in his God.

Psalm 131:1-3 ESV

"O Lord, my heart is not lifted up; my eyes are not raised too high; I do not occupy myself with things too great and too marvelous for me. But I have calmed and quieted my soul, like a weaned child with its mother; like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord from this time forth and forevermore. "

In the second, the psalmist stays accountable to God, asking Him to reveal any place in his heart or in his mind that may not be pleasing to his Savior. This is true alignment with the Father. Kingdom order.

Psalm 139:23-24 KJV: