"And Elisha sent a messenger to him, saying, 'Go and wash in the Jordan seven times, and your flesh shall be restored to you, and you shall be clean.' But Naaman became furious..." (2 Kings 5:10-11, NKJV).

You may recall a Syrian General who at first refused to obey the prophet Elisha's instructions to go and dip himself in the River Jordan seven times to be healed of leprosy. He though such a piddly river was beneath his dignity. He, a mighty man of importance, had come a long way and he expected a river better fitting his rank.

But what would have happened if General Naaman had refused this instruction from Yahweh - this 'new' way of looking at, and doing, things? What if he had refused to swallow his pride and insisted on getting washed in one of the bigger rivers nearer home? He would have remained a leper.

So too do many believers refuse to let go of their theological traditions and so make no further spiritual progress in life. They choose to remain in the ditch of error because this is more familiar and comfortable to them, and they dare not venture out. We have to get out on the open road and let Yahweh instruct us in new truths and new ways. And ironically, these 'new' ways (to us) are, in reality, very old:

"Stand in the ways and see, and ask for the old paths, where the good way is, and walk in it; then you will find rest for your souls" (Jer.6:16, NKJV).