Leprosy on the Inside

Many of us know the story of Naaman, the commander of the army of the king of Aram (2 Kings 5:1-15). We know that he had leprosy and leprosy was considered the "untouchable" disease. No one wanted to be near a person with leprosy for fear of getting it.

Naaman had to humble himself and wash seven times in the Jordan River (a very filthy river) in order to be cured of the leprosy. People must have seen this commander of the army bathing in this filthy water and wondered why such a noble man was not bathing in Abana or Pharpar (rivers in Damascas which were clean). Imagine the talk! Naaman came out of that filthy river fully cleansed.

Naaman had outer leprosy. Everyone could see it. People knew he was "unclean". What about those who have "inner leprosy". Appearances can be so deceiving. Talking the "Christian talk", doing the "Christian deeds"; in other words, keeping up "Christian" appearance. Such "leprosy" is not seen on the outside. It is so easy to hide our "secret" sins. People would have no idea that we are "unclean".

Inner leprosy needs a cleansing. Humbling ourselves enough to admit that we need to "come clean" and truly wanting to cleanse ourselves from the filth of our secret sin is necessary. It takes the desire and will to confess. Jesus is always there waiting for us to want to be cleansed through repentance...asking for forgiveness and totally doing a 180 and turning away from wanting to take part in that sin again. Bathe yourself in the cleansing forgiveness of Jesus. Come clean in Christ.