Danger! Unbridled Passion - 2 Kings 9 -10

There are two unbridled passions in our country today that would require a nation-wide poll directed by competent and unbiased experts, to determine which is the most deadly; is it sex or religion? These are not new problems. For example, uncontrolled sexual desire cost King David his reputation and came back to haunt him the rest of his life. His son, Saul, followed in his father’s foot steps; his desire for foreign women resulted in his worship of other gods. His example illustrates both of the problems, sex and religion. Jezebel’s religion [worship of false gods] cost the earthly lives of many who refused to bow to her gods; and also condemned for eternity those that worshipped along with her.

In America today, the growing passion for sexually oriented activity is no longer restricted to late night television. Even the advertising of necessities like food and clothing now exploit the minds of young people during prime time. There are only a very few movies made, or modern music written that does not use explicit sexual references. There may be as many false religions in our country today as there were false gods worshipped in the days of the Kings.

The numbers of cult leaders have grown rapidly, many during my life time. Their congregations have a sincere passion to follow the leader; their passion is so great that some have taken their own lives. We are made to wonder; and it is a question we do not desire to answer—would we give up our life rather than to deny Christ? We, all must realize that Christianity is a relationship and is not a religion.

The nature of man is somewhat like that of the animal cat family. They seek out a dominant leader and follow him until he is old, weak and replaced by a new lion king, and their mind is never aware that there is a higher power. Man develops a zeal or passion to follow the leader and not the will of God. We must remember that zeal or passion—even for the Lord is not an acceptable substitute for obedience of the Lord. I am very concerned that some Baptist relies too heavily on their sincere belief in the security of the believer. The doctrine is biblically sound and I believe it. However, I also know that Christ said that any man that loves him will keep his commandments. That simply means that a believer will obey God. If man could have kept all of the commandments, using his own power, the death of Christ on the Cross would not have been necessary. I am so glad that Christians who are disobedient can repent and Christ will forgive—70 x 70.

[NOTE: One of the greatest sermons I have ever heard—“PAY-DAY SOME-DAY,” by Dr. R.G. Lee, former pastor of Bell-View Baptist, in Memphis, was based on the passage of scripture in our study today. It was taped and I have a copy, and will be happy to share it.] Unbelievers, be aware! Your pay day will come. You can either dine with Christ, at his expense—the price he paid on the cross—or pay the bill yourself!]

Our lesson today proclaims the great danger of unbridled passion. Pharaoh, king of Egypt ruled his kingdom with an unbridled passion for the people to be submissive to him and see him as their god. Both he and his people paid a terrible price before he was convinced to let God’s people go free. A historical review of the Old Testament reveals many other examples, but none surpass the passion of Jezebel and King Ahab in their zeal to promote Baal [idol] worship and show no mercy for anyone that did not follow their wishes. Their pay day was coming. There is always a limit beyond which God will not allow disobedience to continue. They did not just break—they shattered—the commandment that states “You shall have no other gods before Me.”

Perhaps the straw that broke the back of God’s tolerance came when Jezebel had Naboth [a good and Godly man] and his boys murdered because he would not sell them his vineyard. It was in Jezreel, near their palace, and she was determined to take it for her husband. She had Naboth killed because he would not sell; and she had his sons murdered to prevent them from inheriting the land. God’s judgment came and the penalty seems very harsh. Many would die as a result.

God commissioned Elisha to carry out his instructions to eliminate Idol worshipers. Elisha summoned a man from the company of prophets told him to anoint Jehu, son of Jehoshaphat, and instruct him to attack and kill King Ahab and all of his followers, including Jezebel. Prophets had predicted that the dogs would lick the blood of Ahab and dogs would eat the body of Jezebel, and it happened just as had been prophesied. This is a vivid story that reveals the wrath of God, and the extreme, but just, punishment that was pronounced, and this very interesting and detailed story is recorded in the ninth chapter of 2 Kings— our lesson for today—and I hope you will read it.

I must remind you again that the bible is true. This detailed story does not paint a pretty picture. It was not included in the Word for our enjoyment—but as a warning that God does not condone sin in the lives of his people and there is no escape except through the acceptance of Christ as our Savior. The wheels of justice grind slowly at times but there will be a ‘pay day someday.’

Two years passed before Ahab shed his blood in the chariot in which he was riding, and before he could be removed the dogs had licked his blood clean. It was twenty years before Jehu drove his chariot under the palace window and demanded that Jezebel be thrown to the ground. Because she was a queen, Jehu instructed his men to take her body and bury it, and they reported back and said that the dogs had eaten all of her except her head, hands and feet. No doubt the dogs rejected the head that had connived against God, the hands that had worked her ungodly scheme and her feet that had trod in Naboth’s holy vineyard.

The question of the day is which passion is most prevalent—is it sex or false religions? Fifty million babies have been aborted, murdered, since Roe vs. Wade and a majority of these were conceived because of sexual passion. In my opinion there are more false religions, some bearing the names of prominent denominations, than there are churches that preach Christ who was crucified for the salvation of man kind. You alone are responsible to know the difference. You can find the truth in God’s word. You can find a Christ centered church if you try.

There are churches that preach and teach the truth; and that is that, salvation comes through the Grace of Jesus Christ [it is free, unearned and not deserved]. His grace must be accepted by faith—you just simply must ‘believe’ and call on the name of Jesus to save you.