“Then Hazael said, “Surely not! For what is your servant, who is nothing more than a dog, that he would do this monstrous thing?” And Elisha answered, “The LORD has shown me that you will be king over Aram.”
“Power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.”
Elisha weeps as he prophesizes that Hazael will commit barbaric atrocities.
But Hazael is offended at the suggestion. Insisting he is above such monstrous deeds, and that he doesn’t have the power to act even if he chose to… But soon Hazael will murder the king of Syria to gain that power and will go on to prove he is capable of astonishing brutalities.
It is an extremely dangerous situation for me to believe I am too good to be tempted by a particular sin. That egotism is an invitation to the enemy to “sift me like wheat”.
The belief that I am untouchable puts me in the vulnerable place that Proverbs speaks of when it says, “pride goes before destruction”.
Billy Graham was once asked how he had avoided scandal in his ministry. The reporter probably expected a theological truth or bible reference…but Dr. Graham responded, “I run scared young man, I run scared.”… That in fact, is an astute theological response, acknowledging the treachery of sin and an indication of the humility that protected Billy Graham’s ministry.
What about you? Are you so confident that you are above sexual temptation that you make no effort to avoid it? Are you convinced no situation could arise that would tempt you to steal? Are you sure your desire for power and popularity won’t entice you to lie or gossip? The enemy is crouching at the door, whether you see him or not.
Dancing close to the fire because you believe you are impervious to the flames is foolish. Many men have been destroyed by sin they did not avoid because they were sure they were immune to it…
Recognize the power of sin and your own vulnerabilities and run scared young man. Guard your heart and build defenses against all sin in your life. Remember that Hazael was sure there was no evil in him until he had the power to let it out.
“Temptation likes best those who think they have a natural immunity, for it may laugh all the harder when they succumb.”— Catherynne Valente
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