«And she said to her husband, “Look now, I know that this is a holy man of God, who passes by us regularly» 2 kings 4:9

Beloved,

It is written in Matthew 10: 41 «He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward. And he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward». This means that it is the perception we have of the prophet and of the righteous man that will determine whether we will receive any reward from them at all. A good perception will attract its reward and a bad perception will either be benefit-neutral or literally harmful. Is it likely that the reason why some people who are so close to some (wo)men the Lord is using powerfully are not enjoying all the benefits of the grace they are under is that they have a wrong or distorted perception about that (wo)man?

Look at Gehazi! He has been a servant of the man who received the double portion of Elijah’s anointing and if Gehazi’s perception of his Master Elisha had been good, he potentially could have received the double portion of Elisha’s double portion. Imagine the impact Gehazi could have had on his world, the legacy he would have left and how many signs and wonders the Almighty would have performed through him! Instead, he traded-off a generational impact for immediate gain and, in the end, not only did Naaman’s presents not profit him and his family, but they ended up inheriting his affliction.

Gehazi surely had the wrong perception of his master. Remember that the staff Elisha gave him to go and pray for the Shunammite’s dead child did not produce the expected effect (2 Kings 4:29-31). Remember also that though he was close to Elisha, it took a special prayer from Elisha for Gehazi’s eyes to open and for him to see that the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha. (2 King 6:15-17).

Contrary to Gehazi, the Shunammite perceived that Elisha was a holy man of God; she welcomed him, surrounded him with honor, dedicated a room in her house to him and equipped it decently. By reason of that, the man of God had to ask, «What can I do for you?» (2 King 4:13) and before long, she was blessed with a child. Brethren, checking one’s perception can go a long way in transforming things. God bless you.