Yves Gashugi 
They solved a spiritual problem with the flesh, bringing calamity upon themselves.
Six years ago, I attended a gathering of believers where the invited preacher shared the Word of God. Two things he said have remained with me ever since.
First, every trial permitted by God can only be removed by God, and its result is either a blessing or a lesson in endurance and strength.
Second, every trial caused by sin can only be removed through repentance, and the consequence of failing to repent is destruction.
In this age, often regarded as the dawn of great human knowledge, both young and old are encouraged to find solutions to the world’s problems by their own wisdom. While that approach may seem effective in worldly matters, believers have also increasingly adopted this mindset within the Church, seeking their own solutions. Though not always inherently wrong, it becomes dangerous when the solution sought does not align with God’s will. Not every answer given to a problem is its true remedy, even if it seems to fix part of it.
They Solved a Spiritual Problem with the Flesh
When Samuel grew old, he appointed his two sons as judges over Israel (1 Samuel 8:1–2). But they did not walk uprightly; instead, they accepted bribes and perverted justice (1 Samuel 8:3). When the elders of Israel came to Samuel about his sons’ corruption, they asked him to appoint a king to judge them and lead them into battle (1 Samuel 8:4–6).
Their reasons were twofold:
- They wanted a king to lead them in war, yet God had always fought their battles without the need for a human king. In other words, they wanted to fight in a way contrary to God’s plan.
- They were troubled by Samuel’s sons’ sins, yet instead of calling for repentance, they sought a human political solution.
Even though Samuel’s sons were indeed sinning, what Israel truly needed for peace was not a king but repentance. Rather than address the spiritual issue through repentance, they chose to solve it with fleshly means by asking for a king.
God Gave Them Time to Repent, but They Hardened Their Hearts
When they insisted on having a king, God sent Samuel to warn them that the king they desired would oppress them, take their livestock and land, and subject them to forced labor (1 Samuel 8:14–18). I believe God sent this warning so they might fear, reconsider, and turn back to Him instead of desiring to be like other nations (1 Samuel 8:21). But they stubbornly replied, “No! We want a king over us” (1 Samuel 8:19).
Conclusion
Dear brother or sister reading this, perhaps you, too, have fallen into the trap of trying to solve a spiritual problem with fleshly means. Instead of repenting for sins like stealing, immorality, or similar offenses, you may seek human advocates to declare you innocent. Do not rely on human strategies to fix a spiritual issue. God is calling you to repentance, just as He gave Israel time to repent.
“Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart” (Hebrews 3:15).
God desires your salvation and repentance (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9).
