The Wages of Unrighteousness

Tuesday 10 May
READ: 2 Kings 5:15-27
MORE LESSON: 2 Peter 2:12-15

There was a time when Naaman, a general in the Syrian army, came to Elisha to be healed of leprosy. The prophet instructed him to go bath in River Jordan seven times. Naaman first complained about it but then he later obeyed and after bathing in the River seven times, his skin was restored as a little child's. The Syrian general was grateful and went back to the prophet to appreciate him. I have noticed that many times, unbelievers know how to show gratitude more than some Christians. Even in the story of the ten lepers that were healed by the Lord Jesus, it was a Samaritan that came back to give thanks while all the Israelites hurried home (Luke 17: 12 – 19). As a child of God, do not let God raise stones to praise Him in your stead. Learn to be grateful to God.
When Naaman brought gifts to Elisha to appreciate him for the healing, the prophet refused to take them from him. He pleaded with Elisha but the prophet didn't receive the gifts. So Naaman left, taking soil from Israel to build an altar to the Lord God of Israel in his country and said that he would henceforth serve the God of Israel. Gehazi, Elisha's servant, felt that his master was not smart enough to have let a wealthy man like that go without receiving any gift from him. So Gehazi went after Naaman and lied that Elisha changed his mind and wanted some gifts to be sent to him. Gehazi had been faithful to Elisha just as Elisha was to Elijah. Elisha got a double portion of the anointing from Elijah and Gehazi was next in line to get the double of the double but covetousness and greed denied him. He lied, took gifts from Naaman and went to hide it. What happened to Gehazi is very pitiable as the leprosy of Naaman fell on him and his generation forever.
Gehazi had been following his boss but then his heart was after material things and he received judgement. God's call and grace is not for merchandise. It was greed and covetousness that made him lie but he didn't escape it. I want to caution you as a child of God to check your life and see if there are seeds of lies and unrighteousness so that you quickly uproot them. Is the age you write on your official profile your real age? Is there any lie that you have formalised and you think it doesn’t matter? Well, that is what Gehazi thought too, but later he realised that it mattered. Everyone that serves deserves a reward. Gehazi got a reward that he didn't bargain for. He became a victim of Naaman's leprosy because of unrighteousness and greed. The works of the flesh (Gal. 5:22) have more pains than gain, rid yourself of them by prayer and repentance today.

Prayer/Action
* Father, by Your mercy, rid me of all wages of unrighteousness operating in my life, in the name of Jesus.
* Ask that the fruit of the Spirit will be evident in you.

PROPHETIC PRAYER
Father, the time to favour and help me starts now, in the name of Jesus.