ENVY: NOT COMELY
Memorise: Fret not thyself
because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity.
Psalm 37:1
Read: Psalm 37:1-2, 37 Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious
against the workers of iniquity.
2 For
they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither as the green herb.
Bible in one year: Numbers
32, Galatians 2:15-3:14
MESSAGE!
One character trait that has led to the destruction of a lot of people
is envy. Envy is evil because it demonstrates the absence of love (1st
Corinthians 13:4). People become envious when another person has
what they don’t have, or when a person can do what they can’t do. An envious fellow
is one who lives a life of comparison, contrary to what the Scripture says in 2nd
Corinthians 10:12:
“For we dare not make ourselves of
the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they
measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves,
are not wise.”
An envious fellow compares his progress with that of his contemporaries,
and if others are seemingly better-off in any area (e.g. family, children,
finances, position, etc), he will be envious. Love does not envy, nor is it
puffed up. An envious fellow cannot wish anything good for the person he or she
is envious of; neither can he or she seek their good. Anyone you envy, you
cannot truly love. Inside the heart of the envious are ill feelings bad wishes
and negative thoughts towards the person they envy. An envious fellow is also
proud. You cannot be envious and humble at the same time. If you lack love for
somebody, particularly a child of God, it is highly doubtful you are even
born-again (1st
John 3:14).
Some Christians not only envy fellow believers, they also envy
unbelievers. What an irony! Today’s Bible reading strictly warns us against
envying those who should envy us. Anyone who does not truly have Jesus is to be
pitied, irrespective of his or her social status, wealth or material
possessions. That fellow is just being fattened like a sheep prepared for
slaughter. If you envy unbelievers, it shows you do not know who you are in
Christ. If you know the eternal judgment that awaits the unbelievers, you will
weep for them. if you find yourself envying a sinner as a result of certain
difficulties you are going through, it only shows that you do not yet
understand the Christian faith that you have signed up to. According to Apostle
Paul, envy is a mark of baby Christians (1st Corinthians 3:1-3). But why is envy
seen in high places today? Why are those who should be devoid of envy still
battling with it? In any way you have been a victim of envy, ask for
forgiveness and receive grace to overcome it today.
Action Point
Consciously lay aside
every form of envy in your heart. You have your own uniqueness and comparative
advantage. Take stock of them, and with a thankful heat, praise God for them.
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