Tag: Envy

Seeds of Bitterness

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Bitterness is caused by emotions of anger, envy, jealousy, hurt, and resentment, but, can often lead to hate. It can also be caused by a feeling of being wronged by someone. Bitterness can often occur during a divorce, a child custody battle or some sort of trauma.

How can we know if Bitterness is in our heart?

Whatever we focus on becomes our treasure. If we focus on the Lord Jesus Christ and His teachings our hearts will be filled with love. But if we choose to focus on our hurt, our pain, or, the wrongs someone has done to us our heart will be filled with seeds of bitterness. These seeds begin to grow and before long it becomes your whole world. Jesus said;

Matthew 6:21 – For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

The problem with bitterness is it leads to unforgiveness. As a Christian I know Jesus always stressed the importance to forgive. A few of these scriptures read;

Matthew 6:14,15 – For if you forgive men their trespasses, your Heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

Matthew 18:33,34 – Should you not also have compassion on your fellow servant, just as I had pity on you? And his master was angry, and delivered him to the torturers until he should pay all that was due to him. So My Heavenly Father also will do to you if each of you, from his heart, does not forgive his brother his trespasses.

No doubt, God takes unforgiveness very seriously. Maybe because it pushes out the love each of us are called to have for God and for our fellow man.

What can we do to overcome it?

1. Pray to God and repent of any unforgiveness you may be holding on to. Ask for His help and give to Him any hurt, pain, resentment, envy or jealousy buried within your heart.

2. Read God’s word, the Bible, but, focus on the Lord Jesus Christ, His parables and what He did for us.

3. Read scriptures on love, on the fruit of the Spirit, and the mercy God has given to each who believe in His Son.

4. Glorify the Almighty thanking Him for what He has done in your life.

5. Sing God’s praise. Let Him know just how special He is through song.

And remember, Jesus tells us;

Luke 6:37 – Judge not, and you shall not be judged. Condemn not, and you shall not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.

God forgives our sins when we believe in the Good News, when we turn to the Lord Jesus Christ and repent of our sins. When we place our Faith in Him,  believe in Him, follow Him, hope in Him, and trust in Him. He will send the Holy Spirit to guide and teach us.

And since God is willing to forgive our sins, shouldn’t we also be willing to forgive others theirs?

Speaking One’s Mind

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One of the hardest things for me to overcome as a new Christian was the issue of speaking my mind. For those who are outgoing but mixed with an opinionated personality, it can be very difficult. And from time to time, it wants to rear it’s ugly head. But we can overcome these worldly traits in several ways. First, by praying to God and acknowledging this issue within us and asking for His help. Second, meditating on scriptures which speaks of these very things. And thirdly, by memorizing those same scriptures so we can recall them when they’re needed most. One of my favorites reads;

Rid yourselves, therefore, of all malice,
deceit, hypocrisy, envy and slander.
1 Peter 2:1

The reason I like this scripture so much is the word hypocrisy. Because it reminds me of the teaching Christ gave about removing the plank from your own eye before pointing fingers at someone else to remove theirs. It’s a great lesson, a reminder and invaluable as I continue my journey through the scriptures.

Envy the Backbone of America

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I’ve never really thought much about envy and how it plays such a big role in our culture. And just like myself, many Christians may be harboring this sin within themselves without even realizing it. But before I go into what envy is, let’s look at it from a different view. If you ever listened to the song by Waylon Jennings, Luckenbach Texas, you may relate. A portion of the chorus reads;

We’ve been so busy keepin’ up with the Jones, four car garage and we’re still building on.

See what I mean?

In the past the phrase, keeping up with the Jones, was acceptable. Today, we don’t even sugarcoat it. But it’s the desire, longing, or lusting after what someone else has, or, something even better. And envy can cause feelings of discontent, resentment, bitterness, jealousy and even hate.

But there is another word for envy many of us miss and it’s the word Covet. The very definition of Coveting is a desire, craving or yearning for what someone else possesses. Whether it’s wealth, a new home, a new car, owning your own business, traveling, buying new furniture, or the perfect dream job, it’s the very act of wanting what someone else has.

But God warned us against this in His 10 commandments. However, we know those who believe in Christ Jesus and follow Him keep these commandments by the Spirit which God has given us. It’s Grace through Faith. But look at the scripture which reads;

You shall not covet your neighbor’s house; you shall not covet your neighbor’s wife, not his male servant, nor his female servant, nor his ox, nor his donkey, nor anything that is your neighbor’s.

Yes, God told from the very beginning that we should not lust, long, yearn or desire anything that our neighbor possesses. Unfortunately, many Christians have missed the connection between these two words.

But what’s even more surprising is how these words have now evolved into today’s terminology as, our passions, desires, aspirations, goals, and our best life now.

Please don’t put off repenting of this sin, because when we fail to repent of these things, it can hinder our walk with Christ…

God bless you!