How can we avoid Jehu's mistake of not following "the Law of the LORD"? Jehu’s Stumble: A Quick Reminder “Yet Jehu was not careful to walk in the Law of the LORD, the God of Israel, with all his heart; he did not turn away from the sins of Jeroboam that he caused Israel to commit.” (2 Kings 10:31) Why Jehu Faltered • Selective obedience—he destroyed Baal worship but kept the golden calves (2 Kings 10:28-29). • No sustained devotion—zeal for a mission never matured into love for the Law (Deuteronomy 6:5). • Political calculation outweighed spiritual conviction (Hosea 1:4-5 hints at God’s displeasure). Heart-Checks to Keep Us from the Same Mistake • Wholehearted love for God precedes every act of obedience (Deuteronomy 6:5). • Scripture, not convenience, sets our boundaries (Joshua 1:8). • Private worship fuels public faithfulness (Psalm 63:1). • We measure success by faithfulness, not results (1 Corinthians 4:2). • Continual self-examination keeps compromise from taking root (Psalm 139:23-24). Daily Practices That Guard Our Steps 1. Immerse in the Word • Read, meditate, and memorize (Psalm 1:2). • Ask, “Where must my life realign today?” 2. Obey Immediately • Delay breeds rationalization (James 4:17). • Treat every command as coming from a loving Father. 3. Seek the Spirit’s Power • “Walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.” (Galatians 5:16) • Dependence, not willpower, sustains obedience. 4. Cultivate God-Centered Motives • Serve for His glory, not personal agendas (Colossians 3:23-24). • Let love for Christ overshadow every lesser motive (2 Corinthians 5:14-15). 5. Invite Accountability • “Two are better than one…if either falls, his companion can lift him up.” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10) • Transparent relationships expose hidden compromise. 6. Reject Partial Measures • Tear down every idol, not just the obvious ones (1 John 5:21). • Ask, “Is there any area where I’m saying, ‘Thus far and no farther’?” The Fruit of Wholehearted Obedience • Stability: “Great peace have those who love Your law.” (Psalm 119:165) • Usefulness: “If anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honor.” (2 Timothy 2:21) • Enduring legacy: faith passed down without diluted devotion (Deuteronomy 6:6-7). By anchoring our hearts fully in God’s Word and guarding against selective obedience, we sidestep Jehu’s error and walk in the fullness of the Law of the LORD. |
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