2 Kings 5:25

New International Version (NIV)

When he went in and stood before his master, Elisha asked him, “Where have you been, Gehazi?”

“Your servant didn’t go anywhere,” Gehazi answered.

For Meditation

I woke up this morning feeling heavy. A conversation I had with a friend over the weekend was weighing on me. My friend needed my encouraging words, but I gave him a dose of the opposite. He did not like my “combative” tone and struggled to make sense of it. I tried to explain myself in so many words, but I knew that is not what he needed. After a conversation with my wife yesterday, I got worried. My peace was gone and I woke up with a guilt I couldn’t shake off. I started to write, but I could not concentrate. Then I knew I had to apologize to my friend and ask for his forgiveness for upsetting him. After the WhatsApp message was sent, I sensed the peace of God settle on me. My headache subsided, and I went back to writing.

In the story of Gehazi before Elisha, after Gehazi had deceptively extracted the gift from Naaman (2 Kings 5:25), we learn a great lesson on the need for confession. Refusing to accept one’s guilt is hazardous to our spiritual wellbeing. Gehazi could have avoided the leprosy of Naaman if he had come straight with the prophet. Denying the truth was what condemned Gehazi and drew God’s wrath (26-27).

I have learnt another truth on the need for confession (1 Jn. 1:8-10). In interpersonal conflicts, it doesn’t matter whether we are right or wrong. What is critical is how the other person feels. That is what we have to address for Christ’s sake.

In His Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said this: “If you are offering your gift at the altar and there remember that your brother has something against you, leave your gift there … first go and be reconciled to your brother; then come and offer your gift” (Matt. 5:23-24). Jesus’ emphasis is what your brother or sister has – feels – against us, rather than what we have – feel – against them. They may have it wrong, but to remove that poison and make peace, we have to address it. Our offering is before the Prince of Peace.

1. Is there anything to confess today?
2. Is there anyone to make peace with?
3. What could anyone of us hide from God?
4. Where is the love of God when we justify ourselves by saying, the other person must “shape up”, when they are really hurting?
5. Do we not rob ourselves of inner peace and joy from the Lord?

I pray we realize that Christian devotion to one another, requires honoring one another above ourselves (Rm. 12:10; Phil. 2:3-4).

So: May you not hold on to your rightness and disregard the pain of the other person; but may you apologize and ask for forgiveness, if that is what it takes to make peace for the Lord’s sake.

We deceive ourselves by thinking we are alright when the other person is hurting.

Shalom