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Topic: Say No To Envy
[DCLM Daily Manna 14 September 2018 Daily Devotional]
Text: 1 Samuel 22:6-10 (KJV)
Key Verse: “That all of you have conspired against me, and there is none that sheweth me that my son hath made a league with the son of Jesse, and there is none of you that is sorry for me, or sheweth unto me that my son hath stirred up my servant against me, to lie in wait, as at this day?” (1 Samuel 22:8).
MESSAGE:
The notion of wanting to be in same situation as somebody else or wanting to have something that belongs to another has been in vogue since the beginning of the world. Satan wanted to take the place of God but became a castaway. Cain killed his brother, Abel and Joseph’s brothers sold him into slavery out of envy. King Saul, in the text under consideration, had become very displeased with David since the day the women of Israel ascribed more glory to him (1 Samuel 18:7-9). At this point, the killer-instinct had become so ingrained in Saul’s life that he left the business of the kingdom in pursuit of David’s life.
The word of God stands against envy. It is numbered among the works of the flesh “…envy slayeth the silly one” (Job 5:2). “…But envy the rottenness of the bones” (Proverbs 14:30). Believers who are looking heavenward, must thoroughly guard their loins against the spirit of envy. This is only made possible when self is crucified. You must seek the Lord for the circumcision of the heart so as to be set free from self-indulgence. Remember that envy, if allowed, is dangerous to the wellbeing of the soul. It tends to pride; it debases and can eventually lead to self-destruction as it did to King Saul.
The Bible enjoins that we keep the heart with all diligence. Envy is the gateway to many other vices. It is the midwife of jealousy and grandparents to character assassination and murder. Endeavour to make your calling and election sure by earnestly meditating on God’s word, fighting the good fight of faith, praying and guarding your heart against envy.
Thought For The Day: One possessed by envious spirit will miss heaven.
Bible Reading In One Year: Daniel 1-3
