Skip to main content

The Grass Is Not Always Greener



“Be not thou envious against evil men, neither desire to be with them. For their heart studieth oppression, and their lips talk of mischief” Proverbs 24:1-2.

    You know you have heard the expression, “The grass is always greener on the other side of the fence.” A Christian needs to examine this saying a little closer. If you remember a few Sunday mornings ago that we discussed the sin of covetousness. I want to bring back to your mind that covetousness is desiring something that is not yours, and also it is desiring something that you cannot have. God’s warnings are throughout the Scriptures. New Testament Christians must remember we cannot have the life of the wicked. 

    Through the Inspired Word he declares do not be envious against evil men. Why would we envy evil men? Why would we want anything that evil men enjoy? Sometimes it’s the case that we want the benefits of their evil. A Christian who is not wealthy might look at the riches of the wicked and be willing to walk away from the Lord. A Christian who is young and who wants to be popular might look at the popularity of the wicked and be willing to walk away from the Lord. A Christian might look at worldly religions and be willing to walk away from the Lord. 

    Jehovah tells us that we cannot be envious of them. Why? Their hearts studieth oppression and their lips talk of mischief. Why would we seek the same things that hurt so many? If a man steps over all people to get rich, is he not an oppressor? If a man will do anything for popularity, is it not evil? If a man will teach a doctrine that is not sound just to gain followers, is that not mischief? Do they not oppress the unlearned that follow their talk? The Lord’s way is far better. 

“Through wisdom is a house builded, and by understanding it is established, And by knowledge are the chambers filled with all precious and pleasant riches. A wise man is strong. Yea, a man of knowledge increaseth might” (Proverbs 24:3-6).

    We can be secure in this world and thereafter if we would only seek the wisdom of the Lord. By knowledge are the chambers filled. The riches of life eternal are built on the knowledge of the Lord. If one wants to be strong and mighty, the only way is the knowledge that comes from the Lord. Christian, do not envy the wicked. 

Grace and Peace, 

R.D. Beavers 

8/14/22 Sermon on Covetousness:

https://www.grovechurchofchrist.org/sermons-and-bible-study-audio-2022.html

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Don't Raise an Ahaz

           Twenty years old was Ahaz when he began to reign; and he reigned sixteen years in Jerusalem: and he did not that which was right in the eyes of Jehovah his God, like David his father. But he walked in the way of the kings of Israel, yea, and made his son to pass through the fire, according to the abominations of the nations, whom Jehovah cast out from before the children of Israel.   And he sacrificed and burnt incense in the high places, and on the hills, and under every green tree . 2 Kings 16:2-4                   When was the first time you drove a car? What about the first time you jumped off a diving board or gave a speech? After that first time, it certainly became easier. What about the first lie you told? Did it become easier? King Ahaz of Judah was evil and far from the example of David. Ahaz was the first to offer child sacrifices to t...
Post a Comment
Read more

Jehoiakim and Enemies

“Surely at the commandment of Jehovah came this upon Judah, to remove them out of his sight, for the sins of Manasseh, according to all that he did, and also for the innocent blood that he shed; for he filled Jerusalem with innocent blood: and Jehovah would not pardon.”  2 Kings 24:3-4 Jehoiakim king of Judah was the son of Jehoahaz who chose to do evil and die in Egypt a slave of Pharoah-Necoh. Jehoiakim did not learn from this, and he chose to do evil in his own right (cf. 2 Kings 23:37). He, for a time, subjugated himself to Nebuchadnezzar but turned and rebelled against him (cf. 2 Kings 24:1). Nebuchadnezzar was not the only problem for Jehoiakim. Due to his rebellion, Chaldeans, Assyrians, Ammonites, and Moabites all came after him, and God said it would happen.  Jehoiakim chose this, God allowed the Punishment The sin of Judah was nothing new. It was an ongoing practice that was carried out by the king and his people. God was true to His Word, and, despite the warnin...
Post a Comment
Read more

Abijah and Totality

  Now in the eighteenth year of king Jeroboam the son of Nebat reigned Abijam (also Abijah) over Judah.Three years reigned he in Jerusalem. And his mother's name was Maachah, the daughter of Abishalom. And he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father. 1 Kings 15:1-3        Do you ever wonder how someone who gets things mostly right can still be so wrong? It is mind-boggling if we do not consider that God judges man in totality. From our text above, it is hard to see anything good that can be said about Abijam (Abijah) son of Rehoboam. After all, it is evident that he walked in all the sins of his father, which he had done before him: and his heart was not perfect with the LORD his God, as the heart of David his father.      So where do we learn the details? 2 Chronicles 13:1-22 gives us further evidence of Abijah’s issues. We know he i...
Post a Comment
Read more