Naaman the Syrian: Humbled, Healed, and Converted

 “...every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted.” -Luke 18:14B.

Naaman the Syrian was captain of the host for the king of Syria, and it was said of him that he was a great man with his master, honorable, and a mighty man of valor-and yet he was a leper. It is simple enough to recall this story from 2 Kings 5, and how Naaman travelled to the prophet Elisha in Israel and was healed, but I think we can learn much from a closer look at the elements of this event. Built into this story we can find out how God was humbling Naaman, and it was also a lesson for us today on how we should seek to approach God for anything.

We must remember that even though Naaman needed healing, he was a very great man. Just having the leprousy would be humbling, because it was something his strength he couldn't fight.

His help begins with a child: In verses 2-4, we see that it is the “little maid” who first pointed Naaman toward the solution to his disease. Later on it seemed that even the king of Israel was unaware of this (verses 5-7). Yes, it is assumed that “little” means a young girl, maybe 8-12 in age.

Elisha had no respect for Naaman's person: Elisha knew that Naaman was coming (v.8), and who he was, but he didn't even come out of the house to meet him upon his arrival.

Elisha wasn't impressed by Naaman's efforts: Naaman and his servants had taken great strides just to come to Samaria, but it gained no consideration from Elisha.

Elisha wasn't moved by the rewards offered: In fact, in the end, Elisha took no reward of what Naaman had brought with him (v.5). Why would Elisha take pay for God's work?

Elisha didn't respect Naaman's values: Through a messenger, Elisha told Naaman to go down to the Jordan river and wash 7 times (v.10). Naaman considered these waters to be far inferior to those in Syria, and perhaps they were; but the healing was really from God anyway, and Naaman's instruction to wash was an act of FAITH needed to loose the healing.

Elisha wouldn't put on a show: Perhaps it was for the thought of his own importance, or for what he considered was the seriousness of his disease, but Naaman expected a far greater show from Elisha in dealing with his leprousy (v.11-13).

In all of these things, nothing detracted from the glory which only God deserved! Direction was given from a child. No regard was ever shown for Naaman's person or efforts. The generosity of the gifts bought him nothing. Elisha simply let God work, and didn't put on a “show” for Naaman. And how could just washing with water heal him, especially from such an inferior source? He washed himself all the time! Naaman was healed by the mercy and might of the living God, and not by his own efforts, or those of any other. Please take time to read the entire chapter!

The result of his humbling and healing turned Naaman away from the false gods of Syria, and caused him to trust in the God of Israel alone; he would worship no other. In other words, Naaman was CONVERTED (v.17). And yes, after the healing, Elisha met with Naaman.

When the Lord works this way with us it is not only for His glory, but it grows our faith. His ways are infinitely higher than ours, and God will choose directions for us that we would not usually pick for ourselves. Do we truly trust in God? Do we desire His glory? In all such things, we will be tested. Remember Naaman the Syrian, and all the true promises of God's faithfulness.

“But God hath chosen the foolish things of the world to confound the wise; and God hath chosen the weak things of the world to confound the things which are mighty; And base things of the world, and things which are despised, hath God chosen, yea, and things which are not, to bring to nought things that are: That no flesh should glory in his presence.” -I Corinthians 1:27-29.

You may also like to check out my YouTube video on this topic https://youtu.be/UU-PkqqtUaI

The Inheritance of Chastening

 “Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chasteneth his son, so the LORD thy God chasteneth thee.” -Deuteronomy 8:5

“You only have I known of all the families of the earth: therefore I will punish you for all your iniquities.” -Amos 3:2.

Unfortunately there are many professing Christians today that reject the idea that God would chasten them, but the concept is well-founded in the scriptures, both in the Old Testament and the New. Chastening means a type of punishment. Please see Hebrews 12:5-11 for instruction.

As I looked up the definition on Google, I found that to chasten means, “To inflict corrective punishment.” They also gave the Bible's definition as, “To visit with affliction for the purpose of moral improvement.”

But I hope we can see from the opening scriptures that for God to chasten us really means that we are His children, and it is a normal part of our relationship with Him. I think the resistance people have to the idea of chastening is the thought of God inflicting pain upon us, hurting us, even after we have become Born Again (John 3:3). Why would God do this?

While the Lord may need to punish us for seriously straying from Him, I think He mostly uses it to direct us, especially as we mature in Christ. So anything uncomfortable might be thought of as chastening, though it may not actually be for punishment. IT IS A GREAT WAY FOR GOD TO GET OUR ATTENTION!!!

Let's face it, we serve a God that we cannot see, and whose actual voice we do not hear. We are seeking His will for our lives, and so He may direct us by discomfort. We are much more prone to search deeply in prayer if things are not going well. Many times troubling events may simply be trials of faith, or the devil's opposition; but if things seem to unnaturally linger, we should consider that God is getting our attention FOR something, and we will need to “dig deeper” in prayer.

There was a period in my life I had seriously backslidden from the Lord, and God brought numerous events of chastening for the evil state I was in. He wanted me back. He didn't want to judge me eternally in Hell. For so many years now I have seen clearly the love that God shows us by chastening. Now that Christ has restored me, He continues to direct me by chastening at times.

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.” -Revelation 3:19.

Recently I had become sick, due to a commitment I had broken with God. It happened by the interruption of a guest, but I made no attempt to keep what I had pledged to the Lord. We must make every effort to keep our promises to the Lord! The affliction was mild, and for just one day.

God has also often used chastening to steer me from jobs. I do have problems with my left foot most mornings, some stiffness, but it quickly goes away-and it NEVER keeps me from walking! But there was one morning that I COULD NOT walk on it at all. I was literally hopping around the house on my right foot/leg, leaning on walls & furniture to get around. I knew that God was trying to tell me something!

After determining that I was to quit my job, I promised Him to put in my 2 week notice the next day. But I prayed something like, “Lord, I promise to turn in my notice tomorrow, but here is the problem-I really need my foot to get into work; if you heal me now, I can go to work, and it will prove that this is why my foot has been so bad.” IMMEDIATELY, as I sat there, I could actually feel tendons, ligaments, whatever is inside of the foot, moving back into place: I could walk normally again! Needless to say, I kept my word to God.

The Bible shows us what love God has toward us, because while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8). Now that we are His, never doubt His love & best intentions for you; but we must not reject His chastening, for then we are separating ourselves from the relationship with God that we need to have. Our Heavenly Father wants what is best for us, and His knowledge and understanding are without limits. Let us receive God's dealings with us joyfully, for eternity awaits!

“For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.” 2 Corinthians 4:17,18

Here is a link to a video I did on YouTube on chastening https://youtu.be/XDP-Cq82sX8

Handling God's Word Faithfully

“For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.” -2 Corinthians 2:17.

God's Word really isn't difficult to understand, but we dare not get lazy, either. Only too many times do I hear about “doctrine” that has been derived from a verse or two, with little consideration of other scriptures which contradict; what we need is the full counsel of God's Word to determine accurate meaning (Acts 20:27).

We must remember that the chapters & verses were put into the Bible to help us with locating and memorizing specific passages; the writing itself came as a whole, without the divisions. The purpose of this blog is to provide an example of how to apply God's Word faithfully, and not to mishandle it. With this in mind, I have chosen to look at the book of I John. This “book” was, of course, a single letter written to Christians generally back in the time of the Apostle John.

Over the years I have sometimes heard I John 5:13 referenced as a “proof” verse for the view of eternal security. Of course I disagree, but the point here is that the proponents sometimes isolate this verse to support their view on the subject. I also know of several other verses in this book that are sometimes mishandled, so I thought I John would be a good example to teach by.

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.” -I John 5:13.

We see that our focus verse comes very near the end of this letter, and there are only 8 verses beyond it. John is beginning to summarize it when saying, "these things have I written unto you," also identifying the target of his writing as Christian believers. He says that the purpose of his writing these things was so that the believing readers might KNOW that they are living uprightly before God, and that they truly believe what they profess.

What John is doing by this letter is giving instruction for Christian living, and laying before them doctrines to which they must hold. If they are compliant with these truths they will know that they are on the right track, that they have been saved through Jesus Christ, and that in the end they will have eternal life. So what were some of those things John wrote to instruct them?

1:8-2:2: The need for repentance and forgiveness. 2:15,16: Separation from worldly affection. 2:22: How to identify antichrists. 2:27: Receiving of the holy anointing. 3:1: Our adoption as children of God. 2:3,4 & 5:2,3: The need to keep the commandments. 3:14,15 & 4:20,21: How Christians must love their fellow brethren. 3:16-22: Real love requires action; the role of a conscience; confidence in prayer. 4:1: We need to test the spirits. 4:8,16: "God is love." 4:9,10: God's love toward us. 5:7: Direct verse supporting the trinity. 5:14,15: The need to pray in God's will. 5:16,17: Types of sin we will deal with. All of the information God gives us here, through John, are criteria we can hold ourselves to for certainty that we are walking in real faith.

But there are several verses in I John that seem to tell us (Christians) that we actually do not sin, and there are not a few prosperity teachers who inexcusably promote that view-they should know better! They do exactly what I am warning you not to do; which is isolating single verses without regard for the context they are in, or how the verse relates to the rest of the Bible. You will see these verses in 3:6,9, & 5:18. Here is one sample from I John 3:9;

"Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God."

How could anyone isolate such a verse from the rest of the book? The first chapter talks about our sin, and how even if we do sin after salvation, Jesus is our advocate (2:2). And sin is clearly addressed late in chapter 5, as well. Still, then how can we apply such a verse as 3:9?

What these verses must imply is that the born again Christian does not deliberately sin, but they seek to please God and keep His commandments (3:22). It does not mean, cannot mean, that there are never any points of stumbling. This we can verify by other scriptures such as we find in Romans chapter 7:18-8:1;

"For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me. For I delight in the law of God after the inward man: But I see another law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity to the law of sin which is in my members. O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit."

Another verse often misused can be found in 5:4;

"For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is the victory that overcometh the world, even our faith."

An individual inappropriately using this verse might say something like this, "Well, I am a Christian, I'm born of God, so I've overcome the world!" They seem to forget the context of the very chapter this verse is found in! Just look at verse 16 for something to think about...

"If any man see his brother sin a sin which is not unto death, he shall ask, and he shall give him life for them that sin not unto death. There is a sin unto death: I do not say that he shall pray for it."

How do we appropriately apply the Word of God in our lives? I John 5:4 is a wonderful verse of encouragement, and I do not put it down, but this victorious overcoming isn't automatic by any means. Please check out for yourself 2 Corinthians 1:8-10, 7:5. Our faith must grow.

Prayer will always be your first and best tool for scripture understanding. It is by wisdom that we should remember not to be limited due to the chapter & verse divisions; and to consider the overall testimony of both the passage, as well as the rest of the Bible.

"Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth." -2 Timothy 2:15.

Being Afraid of Fearfulness

 “Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the desolation of the wicked, when it cometh. For the LORD shall be thy confidence, and shall keep thy foot from being taken.” -Proverbs 3:25,26.

The New Testament of the Bible contains a number of lists of qualities that are sinful, and will keep us from an eternity with God in glory. One such list is found in Revelation 21:8, which mentions 8 such characteristics of those destined for the lake of fire: the very first one mentioned in this verse is FEARFUL!

“But the fearful, and unbelievableing, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.”

When we think of someone being fearful, we are usually full of sympathy, and feel that they need comfort. What we need here is a broader picture of the Bible to understand the context of what Jesus is saying, and to know that He is not being cruel.

The fear of the Lord may be the beginning of wisdom (Psalm 111:10), but those who have trusted the Son of God for their salvation are being perfected in love (I John 4:18), and they will not be fearful in their character. We trust in God, who is unlimited in power! We have an eternal home in Heaven with our savior-a God who takes away all our fears, 2 Timothy 1:7;

“For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.”

FEAR can be applied in a number of ways, which could mean primarily respect, or could go all the way up to stark terror. Examples: my grandmother had a stark fear of fire, and it was unreasonable. She was terrified at the thought of it. We might say that many “fear” fire, meaning that they handle it respectfully for the damage it could do- but they won't stop using it, because it is so beneficial. A soldier may have a kind of fear when going into battle, knowing what the weapons of the enemy could do to him or his unit. Yet he is trained and equipped, and his fear will not keep him from his duty-but it will probably keep him alive!

When the Bible speaks of the fearful being lost, it is because they do not trust in God or submit to His Lordship. You would think that fear would be a great motivator for bringing people to salvation; that they might turn to God for help in their time of need. But even the fearful are by nature rebellious against God, and seldom submit to Him. For all of the fear related events of the end times, the Bible shows us that men will not repent (Luke 21:11,26; Revelation 9:20,21, 16:9). Fear is a bad spiritual fruit we can observe in ourselves & others, but it should NOT be vastly seen in true Christians. This is why we should examine ourselves to see if we are genuine in our faith (2 Corinthians 13:5), repenting, and asking God to pluck out any unreasonable fear that remains within us.

When examining yourself, you need to look hard at yourself for the fear of death. The testimonies I have heard tell me that most who profess Christ today really DO NOT want to leave life in this world! Some in my own church say often, “I thank God for giving me life today.” They do not thank Him for salvation, or the chance to spread the gospel, they only want to know a God who will give them a good life on earth. Don't they want to meet the savior they claim to love?

Some others are still stuck wearing masks, even though the Botswana government entirely lifted the mandate-they are still afraid! The media hype on the falsely alleged pandemic was all about building fear. If someone is still fearing death from a cold, they do not trust in God, nor are they ready to meet Him; their affections are bound up in the earth (John 12:25).

"“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth. For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.” -Colossians 3:1-3.

Spiritual growth in Christ is impossible in the natural man, but we are called unto perfection (2 Corinthians 7:1) by God, and He has given His children the Holy Spirit for our strength and comforter along the way. Let us seek all the more to honor our God by putting away fear.

"The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion." -Proverbs 28:1.

Please also check out my YouTube video Forsaking Fear https://youtu.be/vG5QOwWfEOI