“Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from goodwill,” Philippians 1:15 ESV. Envy is a doorway to deep darkness. In the first place, wishing to have someone else’s good fortune is in effect, to question God’s forethought, wisdom, and goodness to us. When we wonder, “Why them and not me?”, we have already judged God as potentially unfair or misguided. Additionally, to cherry-pick from another person’s life is foolish from the start because we tend to choose what we would like to happen for us but completely ignore their sorrows and pain. Finally, to feel that we “deserve better” is an insidious form of pride. The Bible declares: “Blessed are the meek, for they will inherit the earth.” Father, in You I have all things in One, therefore I lack for nothing and “no good thing will You withhold from them that walk uprightly”.
A serious pursuit of godliness requires an equally serious renunciation of worldliness. Too often, we measure spirituality with false scales. While being wisely selective with our public vices we are less so with our private attitudes and perspectives. In reality, it is the thoughts and intents of the heart where the greatest battles must be waged; our actions will ultimately align with the condition of our hearts. Lord God, You know me inside out, You are not fooled by human facades. Plow my heart with Your Word and Spirit and leave nothing unturned. Refresh my inward man that I may outwardly glorify You in all places at all times.
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