Title
The Pitfalls of Envy
Scripture
Do not be envious of evil men, Nor desire to be with them; For their heart devises violence, and their lips talk of troublemaking.
(Proverbs 24:1-2)
Devotional
There are enjoyable people who are evil in their lifestyles. They are full of life and live lives that are very appealing. Nevertheless, if they are Christless, they are at best unwittingly evil. Their cause may appear civil or kind, but their motives are perverse and misguided. What they may intend for good inevitably causes trouble. Their compassion is inordinate. Their goals are Godless. We are not to be enticed by their seemingly abundant lives nor drawn to their useless cause. For anything that is contrary to the things of God is nothing but devised violence and troublemaking. No matter what someone is in favor of, if they are against the things of God, they are unavoidably dangerous. Be careful of envy. It is usually guided by the flesh, not the Spirit. Proverbs 23:17 says it this way, "Do not let your heart envy sinners, but be zealous for the fear of the Lord all the day."[1]
[1] Proverbs 23:17