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“Believing something to be smaller or less important than it actually is”.

Sometimes in our walk as followers of Jesus Christ we can get too ‘comfortable’. We start to not take things as seriously as we once did and we begin to underestimate things about ourselves and about God that if we are not careful can result in serious consequences that impact not only our own personal lives but also the lives of those around us.

2 Kings 1; the record of King Ahaziah highlights three things we need to be careful of underestimating.

1. The influence our choices have on others (vs. 1-2)
- The sinful choices we make have great potential to negatively shape the lives of our offspring as well as others (1 Kings 22:52)
- God takes the issue of the power of influence very seriously (Deut. 13:6-8)
- We must not waver on God’s will even when those closest to us influence us to (James 1:8)

Reflection
- What ‘gods’ am I being tempted to serve as a result of the power of influence around me?
- Are the choices I am making, my ways, influencing others to walk in obedience to the Lord or away from walking in obedience to the Lord and potentially putting themselves in danger?

Application
- 1 Timothy 4:12, 1 Peter 2:12, Matthew 5:16
- Be a positive Godly influencer (Heb. 10:24-25)

2. The ‘jealousy’ of God (vs. 3-4)
- Exodus 20:5 – “…for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God…”
- God is passionately zealous for us!
- He will not tolerate our affection for any other ‘gods’ (Isa. 42:8; 43:10-13; 44:6-8)
- He will not be mocked (Gal. 6:7a)

Reflection
- Is there any area of my life where I am risking arousing the anger of God?

Application
- Repent! (1 John 1:9)

3. The judgment of God (5-17)
- God is just and he judges relentless rejection
- Rejection of the one true God is a matter of life and death
- Temporary consequences of rejecting God can be severe but they are nothing compared to the eternal consequences of rejecting the one true God (Matthew 25 :41, 46; 2 Thess. 1:8-9)

Reflection
- What assurance do I have that I will not hear, “I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers?” (Matthew 7:22)
- Can I articulate that assurance to those who do not have it?

Application
- If you do not have assurance – Rom. 10:13; 2 Peter 3:9
- If you have assurance of your salvation then REJOICE that you will never face the just eternal wrath of God for your sins! (Psalms 51:12-13) God’s wrath has been averted, through Jesus Christ, PRAISE GOD!

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