I have something inside of me that seems to go off from time to-time that is not good. It’s a four-letter monster I’m harboring that is keeping me from hungering for God’s Word. It has the potential to destroy me yet I continually spend time with it. It’s a “sleeper cell” that may be inside of your heart as well.
“A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones” — Proverbs 14:30
A sleeper cell is a secretive group of spies or terrorist agents that remain inactive within a target population until ordered to act. This group of ugly gets triggered in my heart spiritually when;
- a friend sells his business
- a musician gets the tour gig that I know I deserve
- a co-worker gets promoted
- a non-profit receives a six-figure gift when I know my ministry has more impact
- I hear reports of a great revival & growth in another church
Envy is wrong, selfish, and never good. I’m seeing that envy serves as a gateway sin that is a powerful temptation leading to all sorts of self destruction. For example, wishing you were married to someone else which leads to lust and adultery and even murder; being jealous of someone else’s success and prosperity leading to gossip and slander about that person.
God says the way you change envy is by changing your perspective. While you may not be able to completely change the feelings that cause envy, you can change the way you look at things, which will help eliminate envy from your life. To change your perspective, the first thing you have to do is stop comparing yourself to others.
I think the reason we compare ourselves is because deep inside we are dissatisfied with what we have and who we are. Whether we feel good or bad after we compare ourselves to someone else, we do it because things aren’t right inside of us. It is a heart issue. Comparison is a poisonous fruit of discontentment which admits that we are not satisfied with how God made us, that we are not happy with where he has placed us, and that we don’t appreciate the life He has ordained for us. Have you ever thought that God is not fair? Do you get caught up in believing that the blessing of others is a sign of God’s greater love for them? Comparing ourselves to others is an insult to God.
If we will concentrate on becoming who God created us to be–instead of who we think we ought to be, or who someone else wants us to be–we will experience a sense of peace and security that will enable us to resist envy of what those around us are doing & receiving.
Question |
What is your sleeper cell of sin activating right now?