DO NOT ENVY THE PROUD AND PRESUMPTUOUS
Rev Michael Benson Ajayi
"Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong."Psalms 37:1 NLT
"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."Psalms 73:2-5 NLTBible
The lives of the proud from onlookers seems peaceful and prosperous .The psalmist thought he was missing out on the good things of life. This is the reason behind the lukewarm attitudes towards prayers , studying God's word and participation in church meetings by many believers . The proud would have us believe they breathe in a different brand of oxygen and theirs is better. This is a sign of inferiority complex . For all have sinned and fallen short of God's glory (standards) it is this shortfall in glory that results in inferiority complex.
Through Jesus Christ we are restored back to glory. Our self esteemed is restored from the understanding that we are joint heirs with Jesus Christ. We are called to glory and virtue thus increasing our value 2Pet1:3 .
Sinners will always envy the blessings of God upon the believer (1Sam2:32) the blessing of the lord results in prosperity ( well-being, peace, joy, morality) . Therefore, "Don’t worry about the wicked or envy those who do wrong. For like grass, they soon fade away. Like spring flowers, they soon wither." Psalms 37:1-2 NLTBible and " Don’t envy violent people or copy their ways".Proverbs 3:31 NLTBible
Watch what becomes of the proud in say ten years . The effect of pride ( fear , infidelity , misery, vulnerability) is usually not immediately visible . God is longsuffering and gives sufficient room for repentance , we should not mistake his longsuffering as an approval to live in sin.
The Scriptures says "Don’t envy sinners, but always continue to fear the Lord" .Proverbs 23:17 NLT Envy results in hatred and a fall in grace and faith . It results in an unhappy relationship and marital failure Faith works with love (Gal.5:6) and envy hinders faith . Envy is a hindrance to breakthroughs resulting in poverty.
The motivation of the believer is not the same as the proud , the proud is motivated by envy " Then I observed that most people are motivated to success because they envy their neighbors. But this, too, is meaningless—like chasing the wind." Ecclesiastes 4:4 NLT The Bible describes the effect of the meaningless pursuit of success in Revelation 3:17 NLT " You say, ‘I am rich. I have everything I want. I don’t need a thing!’ And you don’t realize that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked." In our daily prayers we should ask the lord for a humble and contented heart and that he should not let your heart envy anyone.
Prayer : Heavenly father forgive me of my sins against you I believe Jesus Christ died and was raised again for my salvation I receive him as lord and saviour and receive the Holy Ghost and power to resist temptation in Jesus name.
+2348098536911 , +2348035536911 email michaelbensonajayi@gmail.com
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