You ever met the Greens? You know, those three siblings that crashed the party last year?
I don’t know how you could forget them … they caused all that havoc and had everyone at each other’s throat — it was a mess. You still don’t remember? Well, don’t worry, odds are you will meet them again.
The Greens, or as they are more commonly known by most, Jealousy, Envy and Covetousness, are bad news. There is nothing more dangerous or sinister than this triple threat.
They often travel together, holding hands within the heart. Their roots go deep and infect every aspect of life of the one who carries them. They run the life decisions of the one who seek and rely on their council. They will ultimately be the spiritual (maybe even physical) demise of the one who refuses to rebuke them out of their lives.
Let’s talk about that covetousness — now that is one problem child for sure. The definition of covet is to yearn to possess or have (something) that someone else has in their possession. Whether it’s a person, place or thing, most people nowadays want what others have and will do whatever it takes to obtain the object of their desire.
“You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor’s.”- Exodus 20:17
This is the 10th commandment of the 10 Commandments from God Himself telling us not to covet — anything. God blesses His children according to His will — we all have what God allows us to have. Yes, some have very little, while others have much. When we live in a world of sin, imbalances will occur.
Yet, God is still in control and allows us to have the things we do. To covet what someone else has is to say that God made a mistake in His dealings with you.
But, God makes no mistakes. Why don’t you have a mansion, sportscar and spouse of your dreams but your best friend does? Only God knows, but trust Him. He has something perfect just for you if you wait on Him.
“But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33
We run a very serious risk when we make what others have our priority in life. It takes our eyes off God and the blessings He has already given to us. When you give your life over to obtaining what others have, the room in your life decreases because you are all about getting so-and-so’s (fill in the blank). Coveting makes an idol out of whatever has become the object of our affection—and you know what the Lord says about idols…
The cure to coveting is to seek contentment with what you do have. Thank the Lord that you do have the blessings that are in your life that others are lacking probably because they live to covet, too.
The Greens are a trip, especially that Envy—now that one is a real mess.
To Be Continued
