I taught in church recently on the story of Elisha and Gehazi. While I explained to God’s people the caution that ministers of God and carriers of the anointing must exercise in not laying a curse on people, I also spoke about the carefree attitude of a Gehazi who would not mind to leave the presence of Elisha leprous.
Friend, don’t let anger push you into danger (Ephesians 4:26-27). Elisha and Gehazi were both victims of anger. Anger made Elisha curse Gehazi, the same anger made Gehazi leave the presence of an anointed man with leprosy (2 Kings 5:26-27). He should have begged for mercy. Nothing is as bad as a generation who would not care (Proverbs 30:11-14).
New creation reality must not lead you to new creation rascality (Galatians 5:13). Any grace that makes you misbehave, especially to higher authority, is not the Bible grace. Grace does not make us unruly (Titus 1:9-11). Grace teaches and guides us (Titus 2:11). Grace makes us cultured. Grace produces fruits of righteousness (Philippians 1:10).
Why would Gehazi leave the presence of Elisha leprous if not for a problem with his attitude? What would he tell his wife at home if he was married? What would he tell his friends? Did he think that leprousy is good for selfie? Did he think that leprosy is not that serious? This is what a bad attitude can do for you.
It was bad enough that Elisha cursed Gehazi, but it was worse that Gehazi left his presence leprous. Couldn’t Gehazi have begged Elisha? Even those who are not on the side of God in scriptures begged for mercy (1 Kings 21:17-29, Acts 8:22-24). This is what kingdom rascality would breed. It would make you walk in defiance of spiritual authority to the detriment of your future.
Where is Gehazi today? Who remembered him, apart from the leprosy he carried. Why must you serve a father and receive an inheritance of leprousy? Why would you end your generation because of a bad attitude. Listen, a bad attitude is like a flat tire. If you don’t fix it, you won’t go anywhere. What do you have to fix in your attitude today?
‘Demola Awoyele
Lead Pastor,
Destiny Impact Church
Akure, Nigeria