Unmasked and Exposed

As followers of Christ, I doubt any of us like to hear that we're prideful, or that God finds us resistible. But what would you do if someone did say this?

How often do we pray and wonder whether our prayers are smacking a brass ceiling and bouncing back on our heads?

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I'll be honest. I have found myself begging God to tell me what it is that blocks our airways. I sincerely don't think there's anything I'm doing wrong. I'm counting the cost of every (nearly) decision. I'm endeavoring to spend time in His word and in prayer. But something is standing between us. It's not like I think I've lost Him, or that He's turned His back on me. I just can't seem to get a solid connection, kind of like the issue I have with my smartphone, which won't allow me to see emails unless I'm on WiFi. The bill is paid, I have service, but I cannot access that feature, nor can I download pictures, until I am connected. 

This past week, while studying Elisha's ministry, the account of Naaman's healing was addressed (2 Kings 5:1-14). This man was well-respected by the Syrian king, a true warrior. But he had a problem. He was a leper.

He had a servant girl who'd been taken from Israel during a Syrian raid. Somehow, this little girl was not afraid of him, nor was she afraid to speak up on his behalf. While tending her duties for Naaman's wife, she said, "Would that my lord were with the prophet who is in Samaria! He would cure him of his leprosy" (2 Kings 5:3). When Naaman heard this, he sought out his king, who wrote a letter to the Israeli king and sent Naaman on his way.

Laden with gold, silver, and clothes, Naaman went to the king of Israel. This king was fearful, believing it was a trap. But Elisha heard about the king tearing his clothes and encouraged him to send Naaman to his home. But Elisha never even saw Naaman. He sent his servant Gehazi out with instructions, "Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored, and you shall be clean" (2 Kings 5:10).

This angered Naaman. He was important. Didn't Elisha understand this? Shouldn't he at least have come and seen him face-to-face?

As he left, his rage simmered. But his servants appealed to him, "My father, it is a great word the prophet has spoken to you; will you not do it? Has he actually said to you, 'Wash, and be clean?''' (2 Kings 5:13).

Naaman relented and dipped in the Jordan as prescribed. Not only was his flesh made like a child's, but his soul was cleansed also. The man was made new. And it all began with a little girl who had the presence of mind to be tenderhearted towards her captor instead of fearful and angry within her circumstances. 

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Once healed, Naaman attempted to bring the gifts back to Elisha, but was turned away with the words that it wouldn't be right to accept tokens for what God had done.

But Elisha's servant, Gehazi, had other ideas. He snuck out, sought out Naaman, and procured some of the gifts for himself. And then, he lied to Elisha about it. His greed, deception, and pride brought on himself and his family the leprosy that had been Naaman's (2 Kings 5:15-27).

This account was unsettling. Not only did the heart of one man soften towards something he thought was beneath him, but another's heart lifted up in pride to obtain what was not his to claim. And the reward for each action followed.

Scripture tells us, "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall" (Proverbs 16:18) and also "Before destruction a man's heart is haughty, but humility comes before honor" (Proverbs 18:12). James reminds us later, "But He gives more grace. Therefore it says, 'God resists the proud but gives grace to the humble" (James 4:6).

So, what is pride?

It is taking credit for what only God can do. It is lifting oneself to a place of idolatry. Words like self-sufficiency, self-reliance, self-worth ... are indicators of setting one's own self in a place where God alone ought to reside. Yes, it is taking credit for what only God can do. But it is also any action that disallows God from intervening in any situation. It's the "I've got this" mindset that says I will power through this difficulty and come out on the other side all the stronger for it.

Going back to the block I'd been asking the Lord about, I can honestly say it was the attitude of self-reliance and trying to figure things out on my own. Proverbs says this:

"Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and He will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil. It will be healing to your flesh and refreshment to your bones" (Proverbs 3:5-8). 

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Eventually, what we hide inside is going to make its way to the surface, and everyone will see it. 

It's not the visible part of the iceberg that is dangerous, but that which is hidden beneath the surface. 

So why not just take it to the Lord and deal with it now?

Until next time, go with God. 💜 Karlene J 💜