The Stealth of Envy

  A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones. Proverbs 14:30

Envy has a way of creeping up on me.  I'm not really a "stuff" kind of person so I don't envy cars, clothes, jewelry, etc.  My temptations are sneaky and less obvious.  I envy things that are good and worthy.

The last few days I have found myself discouraged about my garden.  My purpose in gardening is to provide lots of food for my family.  Sounds worthy right?  Well, I have been seeing gardens that are much nicer and more productive than mine and it really started to stress me out.  I started feeling sluggish and not wanting to even look at my yard.  

This morning I realized I had fallen into envy.  I need to reclaim my "sound heart" to bring back the life to my flesh.  I need to do my best with what the Lord has provided and then find contentment in that.  Honestly, this is easier said than done.  

Today I will push though this dark cloud of envy to find the "great gain" of contentment.  I will walk in victory through the strength of the Lord.

No Defense

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation.  1 Peter 2:12  

This morning before church I was reading some news articles on the internet.  The main point of one article is that, despite the recent "end of the world debacle," evangelical Christians deserve respect.

I was amazed at the comments from readers that followed the articles.  There was vicious obscene name calling against Christians.  Dozens of people shared the view that Christians are the cause of all the world's problems.

I am well aware that there is malice against the children of God and that Christians are martyred daily around the world.  I don't know why, but today, these hateful words struck me deeply.  I knew there was no use in using logic to try to convince these people.

I felt helpless as they slandered my brothers and sisters and my God.  I decided I was done with the internet, done with blogging and done with the world.  I would retreat into my safe haven of home and church. No longer would I put my thoughts and expressions of faith in a venue that was open to such attack.

Then I went to church.  Today's message came from 1 Peter 2 and was full of wisdom.

It is clear that the world needs the love of Christ shown through His people.  Even those who will never accept us or the words we say, need to hear and see us.  We need to represent Christ in such a way that they have no defense for their behavior.  There will come a day when they have to answer for it.  I pray they turn to the Truth before then.  However, if they do not, I pray that my actions are in no way a cause of their rebellion.