Posted on 04/24/2021 12:11:08 AM PDT by Pilgrim's Progress
“Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them” (Proverbs 24:1).
Socrates defined envy as “the daughter of pride, the author of murder and revenge, the begetter of secret sedition, the perpetual tormenter of virtue. Envy is the filthy slime of the soul; venom, a poison, a quicksilver, which consumeth the flesh and drieth up the bones.”
In its most basic sense, envy is the desire to be like others. It could be their riches, their talent, their successes; but the bottom line is that they want to have their life. Do we desire their end as well? Evil men prosper at the cost of their souls. They have exchanged their eternal heaven for temporary joy on earth. There can be no comparison. Most of the advice that Solomon gives, is given to his son. When we are young, we make decisions that will affect not only our lives in this world, but also the one which is to come.
As one studies Proverbs, he comes to the conclusion that pride is the foundation sin for all others. It is what caused Lucifer to shed his holiness for the slimy scales of the serpent, Satan. Close behind pride in it’s severity, is envy.
Envy causes physical illness: “A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). When one is consumed with the lust for other men’s success, his very foundation is eaten up by bitterness over his own situation in life. The bile attacks many areas of one’s body to the point where they become sick. One may look at how Ahab was affected by his lust for Naboth’s vineyard: “And he laid him down upon his bed, and turned away his face, and would eat no bread” (1 Kings 21:4). He became physically ill.
Envy harms its subjects: “Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?” (Proverbs 27:4).
Envy is the product of a carnal mind: “For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (I Corinthians 3:3).
Envy is a work of the flesh: “Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God” (Galatians 5:19-21).
Envy is a doctrine of demons: “But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work” (James 3:14-16).
Solomon tells us to neither lust for their position, nor desire to be with them. “Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners” (I Corinthians 15:33). Be content with such as God has given you and understand that there is nothing on this earth that we can give up that God will not make up one day through our faithful service to Him. There is a sense where we can have it now, and lose it later—or lose it now, and have in abundance in God’s due time.
If anyone would like to be added to the ping list, please let me know either by post or by p.m.
For more books on all topics of the Bible, visit my web site at:
BAPTIST BIBLE BELIEVERS WEBSITE
In the past my own actions and attitude was evil as I was selfish and short sighted and claiming to be a Christian when I certainly did not live seeking Gods love and grace. I now see (only with Gods word and those he sent to me) how he carried me for decades for his reason’s and task’s of which I will never understand and rightly so. The seeking out of his word whether it be in Proverbs or any other section of the bible is key to all of our paths in rejoicing in our saviuors sacrifice in order for God the creator to be able to see us once again as our sins had consumed us. I apologize for rambling but these posts from fellow followers is so uplifting and useful I wanted to say something. Thank you as always Pilgrim and hope all is well with you....I can’t convey in words how valuable your efforts are. Glory to God!
I rejoice that they are a blessing to you and to others. We can only pray that some that look in and scoff at them will one day be open to the Holy Spirit’s call and we will meet them in Heaven - because of Calvary and a seed planted from God’s perfect, eternal word!
Good lesson, as usual, thanks for posting.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.