BEHOLD I THOUGHT

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

In 2 Kings 5:10 & 11, a leper from Syria arrived in Israel to see the prophet of God that he may be healed of his leprosy. A disturbing event took place after the prophet of God’s servant told the leper what he must do. In verse 11, the text reads, “But Naaman was wroth, and went away, and said, behold I thought, he will surely come out to me, and stand, and call on the name of the Lord his God, and strike his hand over the place, and recover the leper.” Naaman had a thought. There is an old saying, "Thinking can be dangerous!" For Naaman, into danger was where he was heading.

God, speaking through His prophet Isaiah said in Isaiah 55:8, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts nor are your ways my ways, says the Lord.” Whatever Naaman was thinking, his thoughts were not God's thoughts. A few elements made up Naaman's thinking. However, we will consider one in this article. Naaman thought that there was a better way to be cleansed from his leprosy (2 Kings 5:12). The prophet told Naaman to dip seven times in the river Jordan. Naaman thought that there were better rivers in Syria to dip in. In other words, Naaman rejected God's way and thought he could establish his own. He initially despised the way of God, for he went away in a rage.

Today, in the religious world, there are religious groups whose doctrines state various and sundry ways that men may be cleansed from sin. Each doctrine is different from the next. One religious organization may teach that all you need to do is believe to be cleansed. Another teaches that you must pray the sinner's prayer. Still another may teach that an infant must be sprinkled with water to be cleansed from sin. You could make quite a list of the different doctrinal teachings on ways to be cleansed from sin. Since man's ways are not God's, you will do better to follow God's way of cleansing from sin. Acts 2:38 reads, “Then Peter said to them, repent and let everyone of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Also in Acts 22:16, “Now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord."

As you can see, the Bible clearly emphasizes God's thoughts on the matter of cleansing from sin. God makes His way plain. Yet, like Naaman, so many are going away wroth because they are thinking of a better way to be cleansed from sin than that which God expressed in His Word. Unlike so many people, Naaman reconsidered and submitted to the plan of God for His healing.

Dear friend, God is not going to determine your standing with Him based upon what you or your denomination happens to think. He will determine all things based upon what He has said in His Word (John 12:48). My hope and prayer for you, dear friend, is that you would have a change of heart and submit to the way of cleansing for the soul that only God Himself can provide (Heb. 10:19-24).