What steps can we take to ensure our actions align with God's will? Rooted in the Warning: 2 Kings 14:24 “He did evil in the sight of the LORD and did not turn away from any of the sins of Jeroboam son of Nebat, which he had caused Israel to commit.” Seeing the Pattern • King Jeroboam’s sins became Israel’s habits. • Amaziah’s son, Jeroboam II, refused to turn away—showing that ignoring God’s standard quickly becomes a lifestyle. • The verse spotlights a sobering principle: failing to depart from known sin means our actions cannot line up with God’s will. First Step: Identify Every Known Sin • Psalm 139:23-24 — “Search me, O God… see if there is any offensive way in me.” • Invite Scripture to expose attitudes and behaviors that mirror Jeroboam’s. • Practical help: keep a short list with the Spirit’s promptings; if it surfaces, address it immediately. Second Step: Decide to Turn • Acts 3:19 — “Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away.” • Turning is deliberate; it means abandoning patterns rather than managing them. • List concrete changes—what will stop, start, or be removed (apps, relationships, habits). Third Step: Saturate Your Mind with Truth • Romans 12:2 — “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” • Daily Scripture intake recalibrates desires. • Suggestions: – Read a gospel chapter each morning. – Memorize verses that confront your specific weaknesses. – Replace secular noise with worship or Bible audio during commutes. Fourth Step: Obey Promptly • James 1:22 — “Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.” • Delayed obedience usually morphs into disobedience. • When the Spirit nudges—call, confess, give, reconcile—act the same day. Fifth Step: Walk with Accountable Companions • Hebrews 3:13 — “Encourage one another daily… so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.” • Share goals with a trusted believer. • Meet or message weekly; celebrate victories, confront slippage. Sixth Step: Keep Your Eyes on Christ’s Example • 1 Peter 2:21 — “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps.” • Review the Gospels to watch how Jesus chose the Father’s will over convenience, popularity, or comfort. • Ask, “How did Jesus respond in a similar situation?” and imitate that pattern. Putting It All Together 1. Identify sin. 2. Turn decisively. 3. Renew the mind with Scripture. 4. Obey without delay. 5. Stay accountable. 6. Follow Christ’s model. Living these steps transforms 2 Kings 14:24 from a cautionary tale into a catalyst for lives aligned with God’s perfect will. |
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