TODAY’S MANNATUESDAY, MAY 22, 2018
TOPIC: DAMNING THOUGHTS
TEXT: 2 KINGS 5:20-27
I) THE KEY VERSE:
“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him”
(2 Kings 5:20).
2) THE TEXT:
(2 KINGS 5: 20 – 27 KJV)
“5:20 But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, Behold, my master hath spared Naaman this Syrian, in not receiving at his hands that which he brought: but, as the LORD liveth, I will run after him, and take somewhat of him.
5:21 So Gehazi followed after Naaman. And when Naaman saw him running after him, he lighted down from the chariot to meet him, and said, Is all well?
5:22 And he said, All is well. My master hath sent me, saying, Behold, even now there be come to me from mount Ephraim two young men of the sons of the prophets: give them, I pray thee, a talent of silver, and two changes of garments.
5:23 And Naaman said, Be content, take two talents. And he urged him, and bound two talents of silver in two bags, with two changes of garments, and laid them upon two of his servants; and they bare them before him.
5:24 And when he came to the tower, he took them from their hand, and bestowed them in the house: and he let the men go, and they departed.
5:25 But he went in, and stood before his master. And Elisha said unto him, Whence comest thou, Gehazi? And he said, Thy servant went no whither.
5:26 And he said unto him, Went not mine heart with thee, when the man turned again from his chariot to meet thee? Is it a time to receive money, and to receive garments, and oliveyards, and vineyards, and sheep, and oxen, and menservants, and maidservants?
5:27 The leprosy therefore of Naaman shall cleave unto thee, and unto thy seed for ever. And he went out from his presence a leper as white as snow.”
3) THE MESSAGE:
i) There is a very close relationship between our thoughts, character and conduct. Repeated actions reveal our inner character and the thought process that produced them.
ii) Every wrong action, crime and evil has been preceded by a wrong thought pattern and evil rationalisation.
iii) The effects of the actions, which such unchecked thoughts lead to, are usually damning.
iv) Gehazi’s thought patterns moved him to acts of covetousness that earned him a curse.
v) He must have reasoned that his master, Elisha, did not act right by rejecting Naaman’s offer and swore not to fail to collect them himself.
vi) His thoughts led him to a chain of sins: told lies and obtained the gifts by falsehood.
vii) His action displayed disloyalty, rebellion and unfaithfulness. For all these, he became infected with leprosy, lost his ministerial opportunity and had to live a secluded life without even enjoying the booties.
viii) People do not just fall into temptation in a moment. The predisposition to sin begins with evil thoughts.
ix) As Christians,
a) we must watch the thoughts we allow our minds to stay on.
b) We must be prompt to resist and reject thoughts that suggest evil and bar them from taking root.
c) It is also important that when we do not understand the position and actions of our leaders, we rather keep quiet and just follow in obedience.
x) Trying to rationalise their actions may breed wrong thoughts that will lead to wrong actions. We must watch our thoughts, especially those that lead to covetousness.
xi) Also, we should think on things that are true, just, pure, lovely and of good report. We can overcome when we choose to focus our minds on the word of God and the things that edify.
4) THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
Guard the gate of your heart to keep misery away.
5) BIBLE READING IN ONE YEAR:
PSALM 95;
97-99
Good morning😁😁😁
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