Scripture
Anger is cruel, and wrath is like a flood, but jealousy is even more dangerous.
~Proverbs 27:4, NLT
Quote
When we adopt the humanistic mold of the world, we doom ourselves to a life characterized by jealousy, envy and greed. Even our charitable deeds are tainted with a selfish motive.
~Max Anders
The sins of the soul are toxic. Although we cover them with a veneer of good works and faithful church attendance, these toxic sins {envy, jealousy, greed and lust} have a corrosive effect on our souls. A heart at peace with God and man fosters good health but envy and jealousy are self-destructive and eventually lead to unhappiness, unholiness and unhealthiness. Solomon said in Proverbs 14:30, A peaceful heart leads to a healthy body; [envy] jealousy is like cancer in the bones. We would be wise to fear them like we do cancer. James Packer once said, “Envy is one of the most cancerous and soul destructive vices there is for it is fed by pride, the tap root of our fallen nature.” Envy can destroy a family, a church, a reputation; it can even lead to murder. Cain was envious of Able which lead to his hate and then to the murder of his innocent brother. Envy shrinks the soul and turns us into spiritual dwarfs. It is a deadly poison that hardened the heart and destroys relationships.
There is an ancient Greek legend about an athlete who finished second in a race. The winner was awarded and highly praised while no one recognized the accomplishments of the man who finished second. Later, a huge marvel statue, weighing hundreds of pounds, was erected in honor of the winning athlete. This infuriated the envious second place finisher. Envy gnawed at his soul until finally, he began slipping out in the middle of the night and chiseling away at the base of the statue. Night after night he chiseled away at the base of the statue but one night as he was chiseling, a spirit of anger came over him and he began to chisel violently. Finally, he hit that fatal lick and the statue fell, as he intended but it fell on top of him crushing him with its enormous weight. While this legend may be a myth, it teaches a truth…“Envy destroys the envious, not the one envied.”
Sir Walter Scott was the leading literary figure in the British Empire until Lord Byron came along. Byron literary and poetic genius was being talked about but not fully recognized until Sir Walter Scott wrote an anonymous editorial in a London Newspaper praising Lord Byron. Scott’s reaction to Byron’s success was noble. It was the right response and made him grow in statue. We can reduce the stress and pain, while increasing our joy by simply repenting of these toxic self-destructive sins {envy, jealously, greed} of the soul and following the way of wisdom which is humility of heart and love for ministry. Envy desires what another person has: it could be fame, fortune, family, position, rank, status, success or recognition. We must learn to be content with what we have and not envy others.
We had a good time at Grace Point last night. We have a very sick first cousin in HH, we may be going there today. God bless you and have a great day.