"Let not thine heart envy sinners: but be thou in the fear of the LORD all the day long."
Proverbs 23:17
Part 2
Yesterday:
“Let not thine heart envy sinners:”
Do not want what a sinner has, and do not desire to do what a sinner does.
Today:
“Let not thine heart envy sinners:” (cont.)
This is one of the statements in the scriptures that when as a young believer, I wondered why it was in the Bible. Why did the Lord need to say to believers, “let not thine heart envy sinners?” And with some maturity, I realized that believers often have a problem with wanting what lost people have or wanting to do what lost people do. It sounds ridiculous for a believer, doesn’t it?! Why will one of God’s redeemed children, a “child of the King” want what a lost sinner has? Guard your heart!
“A Psalm of David. Fret not thyself because of evildoers, neither be thou envious against the workers of iniquity,” (Psalm 37:1).
Or as Solomon, David’s son said it,
“Fret not thyself because of evil men, neither be thou envious at the wicked,” (Proverbs 24:19).
The psalmist shared his heart’s failure.
“For I was envious at the foolish when I saw the prosperity of the wicked,” (Psalm 73:3).
Not only should I not want what the lost have, but I shouldn’t make them my source of fellowship or advice.
“Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them,” (Proverbs 24:1).
Be careful, you will become like those whom you hang around with! “Birds of a feather flock together.”
“Do not be deceived: ‘Bad company corrupts good morals,’” (1 Corinthians 15:33 – NASB).
If we let lost sinners be our main companions, we will become like them. I need the fellowship of God’s people, I want to become like Him!
Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.1
How can I guard my heart against envy? Come back tomorrow and see what the Word teaches.
1. “Take Time to be Holy,” the first stanza, by Author: William D. Longstaff (ca. 1882). Tune: HOLINESS (Stebbins). Copyright Status: Public Domain.