DO NOT LIE TO THE MAN OF GOD

PROCLAMATION

“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 … I will run after him, and take somewhat of him … My master hath sent me …’ Naaman said be content take … 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.’ ”  2 Kings 5:20-27 (KJV)

 

EXPLANATION

These words were written under the influence of The Holy Spirit of God.  The human author is unknown although some Bible scholars attribute this book to the prophet Jeremiah.  Naaman, the captain of the army of the king of Syria, was a mighty man of valor, but he was a leper.  A captive Israelite maid to his wife said that there was a prophet in Israel who could heal him.  The king gave Naaman a letter for the king of Israel, along with gold and silver, requesting that he heal him. (2 Kings 5:1-5)  When the king of Israel received the letter he was upset, tore his clothes and said, “Am I God?”  When Elisha the man of God heard this, he said bring the man to me.  Naaman went to Elisha’s house and stood at the door.  Elisha sent a messenger to him who told him to go wash in the Jordan seven times and he would be clean. (2 Kings 5:6-10)  Naaman was mad and went away because Elisha did not come out to see him, or call on the name of The Lord, or wave his hand over him.  One of Naaman’s servants told him that if the prophet had told him to go do something great, he would have done it.  So Naaman went to the Jordan and washed seven times as the man of God said and he was healed. (2 Kings 5:11-14)   Naaman returned to Elisha as a believer and offered him a gift but he would not take it.  But Gehazi, servant of Elisha, ran after Naaman to receive the gift for himself saying that his master had sent him.  When Gehazi returned to his master, Elisha asked him where he had gone and he lied and said nowhere.  Elisha knew that he had gone after Naaman and received the gifts, and he cursed him that he and his seed should receive Naaman’s leprosy for life. (2 Kings 5:20-27)   

 

APPLICATION

It is wrong and sinful to tell a lie. (Exodus 20:16 and Colossians 3:9)  It is even worse to lie to a man of God.  That is like lying to God Himself.  The Lord God knows all including the hearts and intentions of man. (Psalm 44:21, Romans 8:27, and 1 John 3:20)  When we try to deceive the man of God, we are asking for the wrath of God to come down upon us.  Remember, the devil is the father of lies (John 8:44) but when we received Christ we became the sons of God. (John 1:12, Romans 8:14, and Galatians 3:26)