When Leaders Fail To Deal With Sin Series

WHEN LEADERS FAIL TO DEAL WITH SIN

By Rev. Samuel Arimoro

Main Text: 2 Kings 15:1-38

Supporting Texts: Ecclesiastes 8:11; Romans 6:12-14; 1 Corinthians 5:6-7; 2 Timothy 4:2-5; Proverbs 14:34

INTRODUCTION:

2 Kings 15 covers the reigns of several kings in both Judah and Israel, and it presents a troubling pattern: kings who reigned long or briefly, but failed to deal decisively with the sin that persisted among the people. Even those described as doing “what was right in the sight of the Lord” failed to remove the high places where people still offered sacrifices contrary to God’s command. On the other hand, in Israel, the kings are uniformly evil and corrupt, with assassinations and short-lived reigns marking their history.

This chapter portrays a stark contrast between external appearances of success and inward spiritual compromise. Kings like Azariah (Uzziah) and Jotham had long reigns, yet the idolatrous practices of the people continued. Meanwhile, the northern kingdom of Israel saw rapid turnover in leadership, driven by rebellion, instability, and godlessness.

The message of this chapter is clear: spiritual compromise tolerated under leadership will eventually produce corruption, instability, and divine judgment. God expects those in positions of authority to take sin seriously, not just govern effectively in earthly matters.

1. PARTIAL OBEDIENCE IS STILL DISOBEDIENCE

Several kings did what was right but did not remove the high places.

a) Azariah (Uzziah) sought God, but the high places were left untouched

His reign was marked by general success but spiritual negligence (v.3–4).

b) Leaders must not only govern politically, but also reform spiritually

Allowing idolatry to linger corrupted the people over time.

c) God expects full obedience, not selective righteousness

Partial holiness creates room for mixture and confusion.

d) Tolerating sin weakens the moral foundation of leadership

Azariah’s leprosy symbolised the defilement that can come from hidden compromise (v.5).

Biblical Example: King Saul obeyed partially by sparing Agag and the best of the spoils (1 Samuel 15:22-23).

2. MORAL FAILURE BREEDS POLITICAL INSTABILITY

The northern kingdom was plagued with assassinations and short reigns.

a) Zechariah reigned only six months before being murdered by Shallum

His evil ways led to a swift end (v.8–10).

b) Shallum himself was killed after only one month by Menahem

These cycles of violence reflect the fruit of unrighteous rule (v.13–14).

c) A nation without righteous leadership becomes vulnerable to chaos

Corruption and rebellion become norms in such systems.

d) Stability is not possible where sin is institutionalised

Even strong armies or wealth cannot secure a land under judgment.

Biblical Example: The time of the Judges was marked by moral anarchy—“every man did what was right in his own eyes” (Judges 21:25).

3. GOD STILL EXPECTS RIGHTEOUSNESS, EVEN IN TIMES OF DECLINE

Some kings ruled during dark times but still had opportunities to do right.

a) Jotham reigned in Judah and was described as upright

He built cities and ruled with strength, but the high places remained (v.34–35).

b) Doing what is right personally is not enough—leaders must influence the nation

Jotham did not remove the places of idolatry.

c) A godly personal life must translate into public godliness

Leadership influence must extend to national reform.

d) Righteousness exalts a nation, and leaders must model and enforce it

Silence or passivity in leadership encourages rebellion.

Biblical Example: Hezekiah later removed the high places and restored true worship (2 Kings 18:3-4).

4. SIN THAT IS NOT DEALT WITH WILL GROW AND SPREAD

Unchecked sin leads to generational bondage and national destruction.

a) The sins of Jeroboam persisted through multiple generations

Each king in Israel “did not depart” from his sins (v.9, 18, 24, 28).

b) Repeating the sins of predecessors without reform invites cumulative judgment

Patterns of evil can become traditions if not confronted.

c) God gives time for repentance, but continued disobedience leads to ruin

Israel’s fall became inevitable due to persistent idolatry.

d) What is tolerated in one generation will be celebrated in the next

The failure to remove evil leads to its normalisation.

Biblical Example: Eli failed to restrain his sons, and his entire lineage was judged (1 Samuel 2:12-36).

5. GOD KEEPS RECORDS AND FULFILS PROPHECIES ACCURATELY

Zechariah’s short reign fulfilled God’s word concerning Jehu’s dynasty.

a) The Lord had promised Jehu four generations on the throne

Zechariah’s death marked the end of that promise (v.12).

b) God watches over His word to perform it—even in judgment

His prophecies are not idle threats but declarations of destiny.

c) Prophetic timelines are tracked across generations

What God says may be delayed, but it will come to pass.

d) God is not mocked—disobedience will eventually meet its consequence

His mercy gives space for repentance, but His justice does not fail.

Biblical Example: The prophecy against Eli’s house came to pass long after Samuel first spoke it (1 Kings 2:27).