Thursday, September 1, 2016
A peaceful heart leads to a healthy
body;
jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30(NLT)
jealousy is like cancer in the bones. Proverbs 14:30(NLT)
Cancer in the bones can be a death
sentence; envy (jealousy) is just as deadly to the spirit as cancer is to the
physical bones. Cain was envious of his
brother Abel’s righteousness, and led to the first murder recorded in Scripture[ii]. The Philistine neighbors of Isaac were
jealous of his wonderful harvest and filled his wells with dirt[iii];
their descendants have been arguing ever since.
Joseph’s brothers envied his place in their father Jacob’s heart and
sold their own blood into slavery[iv]. Korah envied Moses’ leadership position and
rebelled…more than 20,000 of his followers died as a result[v].
The temptation to be jealous, to envy
what another person has, is common.
Every two-year old wants the toy his friend possesses. In truth, envy is just that – toddler selfishness…and
it’s just as destructive!
The Psalmist found that out the hard
way. Listen to how he compares his first
thoughts and actions towards how wicked people prosper, and what it did to him,
and what he found out about envy being cancer to the bones:
Truly God is good to Israel, to those whose hearts are pure. But as for me, I almost lost my
footing. My feet were slipping, and I
was almost gone. For I envied
the proud when I saw them prosper despite their wickedness. They seem to live such painless lives; their
bodies are so healthy and strong. They
don’t have troubles like other people; they’re not plagued with problems like
everyone else. They wear
pride like a jeweled necklace and clothe themselves with cruelty. These fat cats have everything their
hearts could ever wish for! They
scoff and speak only evil; in their pride they seek to crush others. They boast against the very heavens, and
their words strut throughout the earth.
And so the people are dismayed and confused, drinking in all their
words. “What does God know?” they ask. “Does the Most High even know what’s
happening?” Look at these
wicked people—enjoying a life of ease while their riches multiply.
Did I keep my heart pure for nothing?
Did I keep myself innocent for no reason? I get nothing but trouble all day long;
every morning brings me pain. If
I had really spoken this way to others, I would have been a traitor to your
people. So I tried to
understand why the wicked prosper. But what a difficult task it is!
Then I went into your sanctuary, O God, and I finally understood the
destiny of the wicked. Truly,
you put them on a slippery path and send them sliding over the cliff to
destruction. In an instant
they are destroyed, completely swept away by terrors. When you arise, O Lord, you will laugh
at their silly ideas as a person laughs at dreams in the morning. Then I realized that my heart was
bitter, and I was all torn up inside.
I was so foolish and ignorant—I must have seemed like a senseless
animal to you. Yet I still
belong to you; you hold my right hand.
You guide me with your counsel, leading me to a glorious destiny. Whom have I in heaven but you? I desire you more than anything on earth. My health may fail, and my spirit may
grow weak, but God remains the strength of my heart; he is mine forever. Those who desert him will perish, for
you destroy those who abandon you. But
as for me, how good it is to be near God! I have made the Sovereign LORD my
shelter, and I will tell everyone about the wonderful things you do.
Psalm 73:1-28(NLT)
For You Today
Has the Lord revealed anything to you about envy? Is He the strength of your heart? There are more than a few of your friends and
neighbors who need to know that.
Go to VIDEO
NOTES
[i]
Title Image: Hieronymus
Bosch (circa 1450–1516) or follower [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
[ii] Genesis 4:5
[iii] Genesis 26:14
[iv] Genesis 37:11
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