Faith & Reason Nexus

2 Kings 5:3-4

A simple suggestion holds great power to move individuals toward positive actions, thoughts, and outcomes. The story of Naaman’s healing from leprosy in 2 Kings 5 provides an excellent example of how a suggestion can lead to significant change. The young maid’s suggestion to Naaman’s wife set in motion a series of events that led to Naaman’s healing, which demonstrates the influence of even a small, simple idea.

A Simple Suggestion Has Power to Move Men to:

1. Think
   • Proverbs 23:7: “For as he thinks in his heart, so is he.”
     • Suggestions can shape the way we think, influencing our worldview and beliefs. Thoughts can direct our actions, making it vital to consider what suggestions we accept and entertain.
   • Philippians 4:8: “Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report—if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.”
     • The power of positive suggestions is evident here—what we choose to think about shapes our attitudes and actions.
   • 2 Corinthians 10:5: “Casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ.”
     • We are called to be mindful of our thoughts, aligning them with Christ, and rejecting any thoughts that contradict God’s truth.
2. Glorify God
   • 2 Kings 5:15: “And he returned to the man of God, he and all his aides, and came and stood before him; and he said, ‘Indeed, now I know that there is no God in all the earth, except in Israel.’”
     • Naaman’s response to his healing shows the power of suggestion. The idea suggested by the servant girl led him to glorify God after he was healed.
   • 1 Corinthians 1:31: “That, as it is written, ‘He who glories, let him glory in the Lord.’”
     • Any suggestion that leads to us glorifying God is powerful and aligns with God’s ultimate purpose for humanity.
   • 1 Corinthians 10:31: “Therefore, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.”
     • In all things, a suggestion that points us to glorify God is a tool that shapes our actions.
3. Desire
   • Matthew 5:3-7: The Beatitudes highlight the importance of having a humble and pure heart, desiring righteousness and mercy, which leads to blessing.
     • A simple suggestion can stir within us a deep desire for spiritual growth, righteousness, and God’s kingdom.
   • Acts 2:36-37: The people, after hearing Peter’s sermon, were “cut to the heart” and asked, “What shall we do?”
     • A suggestion can lead us to a desire for salvation, to change our ways, and to follow Christ.
4. Be Blessed
   • 2 Kings 5:14: “So he went down and dipped seven times in the Jordan, according to the saying of the man of God; and his flesh was restored like the flesh of a little child, and he was clean.”
     • Naaman’s obedience to a simple suggestion brought him healing and blessing. A suggestion can lead to profound blessings if we respond in faith and obedience.
   • Acts 2:41: “Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
     • A suggestion to respond to God’s word leads to salvation and the blessings of the Holy Spirit.
   • Ephesians 1:3: “Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ.”
     • A suggestion to seek God leads to receiving all spiritual blessings in Christ.
5. Investigate
   • John 1:45-46: “Philip found Nathanael and said to him, ‘We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph.’ And Nathanael said to him, ‘Can anything good come out of Nazareth?’ Philip said to him, ‘Come and see.’”
     • A suggestion to come and see for oneself can lead to discovering the truth and encountering Christ.
   • Acts 17:11: “These were more fair-minded than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness, and searched the Scriptures daily to find out whether these things were so.”
     • The Bereans are an example of how a suggestion to investigate truth can lead to deeper understanding and faith.
   • 1 Thessalonians 5:21: “Test all things; hold fast what is good.”
     • We are encouraged to investigate and evaluate everything, especially when it comes to the truth of God’s word.
6. Action
   • 2 Kings 5:5-10, 11-14: Naaman took action on the suggestion to wash in the Jordan, which resulted in his healing.
     • The power of a suggestion becomes clear when it motivates someone to take action, leading to transformation.
   • Acts 2:40-41: “And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation.’ Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them.”
     • The suggestion to repent and be baptized led to immediate action and salvation for thousands.
   • Matthew 14:8-11: The suggestion of the daughter of Herodias led to the tragic death of John the Baptist, illustrating the power suggestions can have for both good and ill.

We Need to Continuously Suggest Christ to Others
Suggestions have the power to change lives. Just as the maid’s simple suggestion led Naaman to experience healing, our suggestions can lead others to Christ. We must continually encourage others to investigate Christ, desire His blessings, take action in faith, and ultimately glorify God through their lives. Let us be mindful of the power of suggestion, using it to point others toward salvation and spiritual growth.