During this meeting, the guest prophet Djimy Mbaya built his message around the biblical account of Naaman. Drawing on this passage from Scripture, he highlighted the danger of the “Naaman syndrome” and emphasized the importance of humility, obedience, and respect for the order established by God in His Kingdom. This exhortation invited the faithful to look beyond appearances, to recognize their spiritual needs, and to receive the Lord’s guidance with faith.
The account takes place during the ministry of the prophet Elisha. Naaman, commander of the army of the king of Syria, enjoyed great esteem. A powerful, respected, and victorious man, he was nevertheless afflicted with leprosy. Despite his rank, influence, and wealth, he remained confronted with a reality that no human privilege could resolve. A young Israelite captive serving his wife informed her mistress that a prophet in Samaria could obtain healing for him. Convinced by this testimony, the king of Syria sent Naaman with valuable gifts—ten talents of silver, six thousand pieces of gold, and ten changes of clothing—together with a letter addressed to the king of Israel. This course of action highlights the protocol surrounding his visit: before reaching the prophet, Naaman had to pass through the royal authority. The account thus underscores the relationship between political power and spiritual authority.
Upon his arrival, Naaman did not receive the welcome he had expected. Elisha did not come out to meet him but instead sent him a simple instruction: “Go and wash yourself seven times in the Jordan.”
These words aroused the Syrian commander’s indignation. Accustomed to honor and displays of power, he had expected a more remarkable intervention. The instruction given to him appeared far too simple in light of his expectations. It was ultimately his servants who led him to reconsider his position and obey the word that had been delivered to him. By complying with this instruction, Naaman saw his leprosy disappear. The account thus highlights the importance of obedience and humility before God’s directives, even when they seem contrary to human expectations.
Drawing from this episode, Prophet Djimy Mbaya presented what he called “Naaman’s Syndrome.” It refers to the tendency of many believers to project an image of strength, success, or prosperity while concealing inner wounds, deep suffering, or unresolved situations. The teaching reminds us that outward appearance, social status, or visible signs of success do not necessarily reflect a person’s spiritual condition. According to this exhortation, Naaman’s Syndrome also manifests itself when people seek to impose their own way of doing things upon God or reject His instructions because they appear too simple, too ordinary, or incompatible with their expectations. Refusing to submit to the Word of God then becomes an obstacle to the work God desires to accomplish.
Another important emphasis of the message concerned the order of God’s Kingdom. The guest prophet stressed that the divine anointing is manifested within an ordered framework in which each person is called to recognize the authority established by God. Just as a soldier respects his chain of command, the believer is called to walk in obedience, unity, and respect for spiritual principles. This perspective is accompanied by a warning against individualism and the rejection of every form of spiritual authority. The various episodes of the account—the reaction of the king of Israel, the intervention of the messenger, and the position occupied by Elisha—are presented as illustrations of an order established by God, an order that ought to be recognized and respected.
In the final part of his message, Prophet Djimy Mbaya exhorted the congregation to put into practice the lessons drawn from this passage. He particularly emphasized:
The congregation was encouraged to renounce pride, receive divine instructions with simplicity, and pursue genuine inward transformation. The image of Naaman’s seven immersions in the Jordan thus stands as a symbol of a spiritual journey marked by obedience, perseverance, and humility before the Lord.
By revisiting the story of Naaman, guest prophet Djimy Mbaya exhorted the Church to examine its own resistance before God. Pride, attachment to outward appearances, and the desire to see God act according to our own expectations can become obstacles to divine intervention. Conversely, obedience to the Lord’s instructions—even when they appear simple or unexpected—opens the way to restoration and blessing. “Naaman’s Syndrome” therefore stands as a call to humility, sincerity before God, and a faith willing to submit to His will.
