The Sin of Gehazi

In this part of the sermon: This section details how Gehazi's sin was conceived through rationalization and covetousness, commissioned through a deliberate lie and deception, and then foolishly covered, with…

The example of Achan involving his family in his sin is used to suggest that Gehazi likely implicated his own family in hiding the stolen goods.

And so he very conveniently covers his sin in all likelihood implicating his own family for the text tells us that he deposited these things in the house. And as with everything else, Achan, who also likewise in all probability involved his own family in his sin, there is every indication that this man likewise makes his wife and children, if children were there, privy to what he has done. And now he, as it were, sighs a sigh of relief because he has now committed the perfect crime for which his conscience does not even know.

17:34 - 18:19 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of an incomplete and insincere repentance, especially regarding covetousness and dishonesty, as unmortified sin will eventually destroy you.

A quote from another man of God illustrates Gehazi's covetousness, stating his heart was 'locked up in those chests' of gold and silver.

When Naaman's donkeys rode off with the chest of gold and silver and garments strapped to their back, Gehazi's heart was locked up in those chests.

35:08 - 35:21 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of an incomplete and insincere repentance, especially regarding covetousness and dishonesty, as unmortified sin will eventually destroy you.

The story of a man strangled by his pet boa constrictor, which he had nurtured, illustrates how a spared sin (like covetousness) can eventually destroy the sinner.

But oh my friend listen, beware of an incomplete, and an insincere repentance. Because that thing that you are presently sparing will one day be your undoing. For a lengthy time Gehazi's monster of covetousness and dishonesty did not rise up to destroy him. Some of you have read the story, and I guess it's been repeated more than once, of the man who took his little pet boa constrictor, and fondled it, and fed it, and nourished it.

37:45 - 38:30 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of thinking you can cover your sin forever, as all hidden sins will eventually be revealed by God.

The metaphor of a cat licking its whiskers after catching a mouse is used to describe Gehazi's smug satisfaction after he thought he had successfully covered his sin.

Oh, how smug he must have felt when he walked away from his tent, like the cat that just caught the mouse and licks its little whiskers. Now, when you see, beautiful thing, I can see my vineyards now and my olive yards, and I can just hear me sitting back, like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. You know, if I were a rich man, I'd have the servants and I could say to this one. He was just like that, just like Tevye.

42:58 - 43:27 Read in full sermon

The point: Beware of thinking you can cover your sin forever, as all hidden sins will eventually be revealed by God.

The character Tevye from 'Fiddler on the Roof' wishing for wealth is used as an example of the human heart's desire for luxury and status, mirroring Gehazi's covetousness.

Oh, how smug he must have felt when he walked away from his tent, like the cat that just caught the mouse and licks its little whiskers. Now, when you see, beautiful thing, I can see my vineyards now and my olive yards, and I can just hear me sitting back, like Tevye in Fiddler on the Roof. You know, if I were a rich man, I'd have the servants and I could say to this one. He was just like that, just like Tevye.

42:58 - 43:27 Read in full sermon

The point: Examine your heart for covetousness when comparing your possessions or circumstances with others.

An example of visiting a couple with a nice home and then returning to a 'rinky-dink apartment' is used to illustrate how covetousness can arise in everyday situations.

You see someone else, they own their home or part of it. The bank owns the rest. They can see down the road 20 years from now they'll own it. And here you have to be kicked around from one rinky-dink apartment to another. What happens when you visit with that

53:38 - 53:51 Read in full sermon

The point: Be honest about whether you covet the wives of other brethren.

The illustration of leaving one's heart in a friend's 'beautiful cupboards' while returning to 'old cracked ones' further exemplifies the sin of covetousness.

Maybe you left the heart in their beautiful cupboards and you go back to your old cracked ones with six coats of paint on them, peeling off. Are you free from covetousness?

54:33 - 54:50 Read in full sermon

The point: Be honest about whether you covet the wives of other brethren.

The example of coveting another brother's attractive wife is used to highlight the pervasive nature of covetousness and its potential to lead to grave sin, referencing David.

God says you're not covet your neighbor's wife. Are you free from that? When you see some of the brethren who have very attractive wives naturally and then wives who keep themselves attractive by the discipline that they ought to exercise over their food and exercise.

54:53 - 55:10 Read in full sermon