II Kings chapter 10. What sins are in your closet?
King Jehu was very persistent to destroy evil by killing all those associated in serving other gods or doing evil, as the Lord told him to. As persistent as he was to get rid of evil, he still did not fully keep the law of the Lord.
Perhaps it could be said about all of us that “We are great followers of the Lord”, yet, what is our secret sin that hides in our closet?
Is it anger / lying / gossip/ addiction (porn, lust, D&A) / foul mouth / inappropriate relationships / laziness / arrogance / pride?
Whatever it is, let us all today surrender it over to the Lord and then keep surrendering it over and over again that we let the Holy Spirit break the chain of bondage and give us victory over the sin area. Jehu died having never dealing with his sin areas! Don't let that happen to us. Let's confront and conquer the sin in the name of the Lord! Today!!!
As I read this chapter today, I thought about how there are many people and groups who have used portions of God’s Word in the wrong way throughout history. Yes, God wanted Ahab’s family and those who were serving other fake gods to be wiped out, but I was just thinking about how there are so many people and groups over the years such as the Nazis or KKK who are very eager to fight with others instead of showing love to others. I think Jehu liked to strike down others, but his own sin was something that he really didn’t want to deal with at all.
I also think that Peter had this same kind of zeal when he was ready to fight in the flesh as we read in Matthew 26:51-52.
“And behold, one of those who were with Jesus stretched out his hand and drew his sword and struck the servant of the high priest and cut off his ear. Then Jesus said to him, “Put your sword back into its place. For all who take the sword will perish by the sword.”
Jesus taught and showed a different way. When battling sin, we should start by having it removed from ourselves before trying to remove it from others. We can’t win by fighting in the flesh. It’s a spiritual battle. This was a difficult lesson for Peter to learn as he had just been sleeping instead of praying and he would soon end up denying that he even knew Jesus and go away weeping bitterly.
I’m reminded of what Jesus said in Luke 6:37-42.
“Judge not, and you will not be judged; condemn not, and you will not be condemned; forgive, and you will be forgiven; give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.” He (Jesus) also told them a parable: “Can a blind man lead a blind man? Will they not both fall into a pit? A disciple is not above his teacher, but everyone when he is fully trained will be like his teacher. Why do you see the speck that is in your brother’s eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, ‘Brother, let me take out the speck that is in your eye,’ when you yourself do not see the log that is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take out the speck that is in your brother’s eye.”