FAITH CAPSULE: Are you being prideful, like Naaman, in any way?

2Kings 5:1-19

Whatever man says you are might not be what God sees in you. The bible states, “Now Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, was a great and honorable man in the eyes of his master, because by him the LORD had given victory to Syria. He was also a mighty man of valor, but a leper.”(2Kings 5:1) God is the creator and the choice to use or not use any of His creatures to convey His message fully belong to Him. God used a donkey to communicate to Balaam when he decided to go the way that seemed right to him and not to God. Balaam was on the way to pronounce curse on the Israelites, has requested by Balak, against the will of God. Balaam struggled to direct and redirect his donkey on the way to his assignment for Balak. It is written, “Then the Lord opened the mouth of the donkey, and she said to Balaam, “What have I done to you, that you have struck me these three times?” (Numbers 22:28) God is an awesome God and if there is a need to use stone in raising up children for Abraham God would have done so without any one questioning Him why. (Matthew 3:9)
God’s decision to use Naaman a leper, in giving Syria victory was not evidence that Naaman knew God. Naaman’s middle name should have been “Empty Pride”. He was sent to Elisha for healing.Naaman was looked upon as great and honorable in the eyes of his master, but he had a great affliction (leprosy). Naaman’s rank, however, did not impress Elisha. All that the empty commander needed to do to be healed was to go and dip seven times in the Jordan River, and wipe out the arrogance in his life. 2Kings5:1,1 “Naaman became furious, and went away and said, ‘indeed, I said to myself, He will surely come out to me, and stand and call on the name of the LORD his God, and wave his hand over the place, and heal the leprosy.’’’ Being a leper, he could very well have been a beggar on the street. A wise saying states, “Beggars are not choosers.” His status was a cloud to him, because he could not see beyond his prideful nose. What about you? Are you being prideful, like Naaman, in any way? When your shoulder is beginning to rise above your head, it is an indication that you have moved to a ground of self-destruction. Pride is a terrible cancer that will deny you your deliverance and let destruction have reign over your life. Proverbs 16:18, “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.” Watch out, for you have not yet arrived until the King of kings arrives to take over and bring you into everlasting life.

Prayer for today: Ask God to deliver you from every spirit that does not line up with the word of God.