BY PST LEO OFFOR
*Text:* 2 Kings 5:15-19
v15 “And he returned to the man of God, he and all his company, and came, and stood before him: and he said, Behold, now I know that there is no God in all earth, but in Israel: now therefore, I pray thee, take a blessing of thy servant.
v16 But he said, As the LORD liveth, before whom I stand, I will receive none. And he urged him to take it; but he refused.
v17 And Naaman said, Shall there not then, I pray thee, be given to thy servant two mules’ burden of earth? for thy servant will henceforth offer neither burnt offering nor sacrifice unto other gods, but unto the LORD.
v18 In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant, that when my master goeth into the house of Rimmon to worship there, and he leaneth on my hand, and I bow myself in the house of Rimmon: when I bow down myself in the house of Rimmon, the LORD pardon thy servant in this thing.
v19 And he said unto him, Go in peace. So he departed from him a little way.”
1. INTRODUCTION: Are you in Naman’s Shoes?
Brothers and sisters, let me ask you a question: Have you ever felt like you’re serving God, but your job is serving Rimmon (Idol)?
Naaman was the commander of the army of Syria. Naaman developed a skin disease called leprosy. Naaman received permission from the king to go to Israel. Permission was given and the king sent gifts of silver and fine clothing along with a letter for the King of Israel. The letter asked that the king of Israel heal Naaman. This angered the king because he did not have the power to heal. Elisha the prophet heard about the letter and asked to meet the man. Elisha told Naaman to wash in the Jordan River. This made Naaman angry, but he did as Elisha suggested and he was healed. Naaman became a believer in the power of the one true God.
Naaman was a powerful man. Captain of Syria’s army, respected, wealthy. But he was a leper. God healed him, and in that moment his heart changed. He said “Now I know there’s no God in all the earth but the God of Israel” 2 Kings 5:15.
But here’s his problem: He still had to go to work on Monday. And his work was in the palace of a king who worshipped Rimmon, the god of thunder and fertility. As the king’s right-hand man, protocol said: when the king goes to Rimmon’s temple, Naaman must go too. Lean on the king’s arm. Bow down with him.
Sound familiar? Many believers today are in Naaman’s shoes:
1. The banker told “Sign this shady contract or lose your job”
2. The civil servant forced to attend office prayers to another god
3. The student required to participate in occultic school traditions
4. The employee whose company retreat is at a shrine
You’ve given your heart to Jesus. But your Monday-to-Friday is in “the house of Rimmon”. You can’t quit today. You can’t rebel and keep your job. So what do you do? How do you serve an unbelieving boss without offending the God who saved you?
Naaman brought that exact question to Elisha. And Elisha’s answer + God’s mercy gives us a roadmap.
Today, God will teach us 3 solutions to handle “Rimmon situations” without offending Him.
Prayer: Lord, speak to us. Show every believer in a difficult workplace how to honour You with wisdom. Amen.
SOLUTIONS FROM NAAMAN AND ELISHA
SOLUTION 1
SETTLE YOUR ALLEGIANCE BEFORE YOU ADDRESS YOUR ACTIVITY – 2 Kings 5:17
Before Naaman asked about bowing, he made a declaration: _“Your servant will never again offer burnt offering or sacrifice to any other god but the LORD”_ v.17. He even carried soil from Israel home so he could worship Yahweh on “Israel’s ground”.
Truth: God cares about the posture of your heart more than the posture of your body. 1 Samuel 16:7 – “Man looks at outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.”
The Problem Today: Many believers try to fix their workplace before fixing their worship. You’re fighting your boss, but you’ve not settled your heart with God.
How to Apply It Without Offending God:
1. Draw a line in your heart first. Like Naaman, decide: “Jesus alone is my God. No idol, no compromise gets my worship.” Write it down. Pray it daily.
2. Build your “altar of soil” at home. Naaman couldn’t build an altar in Damascus, so he brought Israel’s soil home. You may not be able to pray openly at work, but build a strong private altar. Daniel 6:10 – Daniel prayed 3x daily in his room. A strong secret life carries you through public pressure.
3. Let your excellence preach first. Naaman was valuable to the king because he was excellent v.1. Joseph served Potiphar faithfully Gen 39:4 before he had to say “no” Gen 39:9. When you’re excellent, people listen when you draw the line.
When your heart is 100% God’s, even forced actions don’t defile you. The sin is in worship, not in presence.
SOLUTION 2:
SEEK WISDOM FOR NAVIGATION, NOT JUST AN EXIT – 2 Kings 5:18, James 1:5
Notice Naaman’s prayer: _“In this thing the LORD pardon thy servant”_ v.18. He didn’t say “God, fire me from this job.” He said “God, teach me how to walk through this thing.”
Truth: God’s wisdom is better than religious rebellion. Proverbs 4:7 – “Wisdom is the principal thing.”
The Problem Today: Some believers think spirituality = quitting every difficult job. Others think spirituality = compromising everything. Both are extremes. Wisdom is the middle road.
How to Apply It Without Offending God:
1. Purpose in your heart, then ask for wisdom. Daniel 1:8 – “Daniel purposed in his heart” THEN v.9 “God gave him favor and compassion.” Decide what you won’t do, then ask God “How do I say no without burning bridges?”
2. Learn the difference between worship and civic duty. Bowing to Rimmon as worship = sin. Bowing as protocol for the king = circumstance. Jesus said “Render to Caesar what is Caesar’s, and to God what is God’s” Mark 12:17. Pay tax, attend office meetings, respect culture. But don’t burn incense to idols.
3. Use respectful communication. Daniel didn’t fight the official. He said “Please test your servants” Dan 1:12. Naaman didn’t rebel against his king. He went to God’s prophet privately. “A soft answer turns away wrath” Prov 15:1. Learn to say “Sir, for conscience sake, may I…”
God’s mercy works when you’re asking for wisdom, not excuses. James 1:5 – “If any lacks wisdom, let him ask God.”
SOLUTION 3:
REST IN GOD’S MERCY FOR “IN THIS THING” MOMENTS – 2 Kings 5:19, Romans 8:1
Elisha’s answer shocked everyone. After Naaman confessed his dilemma, Elisha didn’t preach. He didn’t condemn. He just said: _“Go in peace”_ v.19. Hebrew = _shalom_. Go without guilt. Go without fear.
Truth: God’s mercy covers what your hands are forced to do when your heart is loyal to Him. Hebrews 4:16 – “Let us approach the throne of grace with confidence… to find mercy in time of need.”
The Problem Today: Many believers are living in condemnation. You had to attend that meeting. You had to sign that paper. Now the devil is saying “You’ve offended God. You’re backslidden.” That’s a lie.
How to Apply It Without Offending God:
1. Confess the situation to God like Naaman did. Don’t hide it. Don’t justify it. Say exactly what Naaman said: “Lord, pardon me in this thing.” 1 John 1:9 – “If we confess, He is faithful to forgive.”
2. Reject condemnation, embrace conviction. Romans 8:1 – “No condemnation for those in Christ.” Condemnation says “You’re useless.” Conviction says “That wasn’t God’s best, let’s do better.” Elisha gave peace, not permission to sin.
3. Trust God for the long game. Naaman walked into Rimmon’s temple that day, but God worked on him. Jewish tradition says later he refused to go again, even if it cost his job. God’s mercy gives you time. 1 Cor 10:13 – “He will make a way of escape.” Don’t panic. Don’t sin. Just walk in peace while God works.
God understands “Rimmon situations”. His mercy is not a licence to sin. It’s a lifeline for saints in impossible systems.
CONCLUSION:
WALK OUT IN PEACE
Naaman’s story didn’t end at Rimmon’s temple. It ended with him choosing God over position. But God gave him grace for the transition.
If you’re in a “House of Rimmon” today, hear me: God is not angry with you. He’s not shocked by your situation. He sees your heart.
So 3 things before you leave here:
1. Settle it in your heart: Jesus is Lord. Nothing else.
2. Ask for wisdom: “Lord, how do I navigate this without sinning?”
3. Walk in peace: No guilt. No fear. Just _shalom_. God will make a way.
I want every believer working under an unbelieving system to stand. Let’s pray Naaman’s prayer together: “Lord, pardon me in this thing. I give You my heart 100%. Teach me wisdom. Let Your mercy cover me. I choose You above every Rimmon. Amen.”
Go in peace. God is with you in that office, that classroom, that business. And He will bring you out.
Concluding Prayer: May the God who pardoned Naaman in the house of Rimmon pardon you and guide you. May you serve excellently, stand firmly, and walk in peace. In Jesus’ name.
