2 Kings 5:19-27
19 But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, made at least two mistakes, mistakes that we also easily make:
1) Gehazi thought God would agree with whatever he wanted. Gehazi could imagine all sorts of things to do with the money that Naaman offered. Surely God would agree that this was a good thing. So what if God had told the prophet not to take the money? Gehazi would take matters into his own hands and claim the money. After all, what was really important was not following God, but doing what Gehazi thought was best. How easily we rationalize our decisions, hoping that God will go along with what we want rather than us going along with what God wants!
2) Gehazi thought that no one would know what he did (verses 25-26). Yet God sees everything we do, and in this case showed Elisha what had happened. Do you realize that God watches you when you masturbate? God is there, watching your actions, when you try to hide and secretly meet someone for an affair. You can't really keep anything a secret from God. Wherever we go, He is there.
God, help me to be aware of Your presence in my life, and be obedient to Your will.
19 But when Naaman had gone from him a short distance, 20 Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “See, my master has spared this Naaman the Syrian, in not accepting from his hand what he brought. As the Lord lives, I will run after him and get something from him.” 21 So Gehazi followed Naaman. And when Naaman saw someone running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him and said, “Is all well?” 22 And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me to say, ‘There have just now come to me from the hill country of Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets. Please give them a talent of silver and two changes of clothing.’” 23 And Naaman said, “Be pleased to accept two talents.” And he urged him and tied up two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of clothing, and laid them on two of his servants. And they carried them before Gehazi. 24 And when he came to the hill, he took them from their hand and put them in the house, and he sent the men away, and they departed. 25 He went in and stood before his master, and Elisha said to him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant went nowhere.” 26 But he said to him, “Did not my heart go when the man turned from his chariot to meet you? Was it a time to accept money and garments, olive orchards and vineyards, sheep and oxen, male servants and female servants? 27 Therefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and to your descendants forever.” So he went out from his presence a leper, like snow.
Gehazi, the servant of Elisha, made at least two mistakes, mistakes that we also easily make:
1) Gehazi thought God would agree with whatever he wanted. Gehazi could imagine all sorts of things to do with the money that Naaman offered. Surely God would agree that this was a good thing. So what if God had told the prophet not to take the money? Gehazi would take matters into his own hands and claim the money. After all, what was really important was not following God, but doing what Gehazi thought was best. How easily we rationalize our decisions, hoping that God will go along with what we want rather than us going along with what God wants!
2) Gehazi thought that no one would know what he did (verses 25-26). Yet God sees everything we do, and in this case showed Elisha what had happened. Do you realize that God watches you when you masturbate? God is there, watching your actions, when you try to hide and secretly meet someone for an affair. You can't really keep anything a secret from God. Wherever we go, He is there.
God, help me to be aware of Your presence in my life, and be obedient to Your will.