How can we avoid envying sinners as advised in Proverbs 23:17? Setting the Verse in Context “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always continue in the fear of the LORD.” (Proverbs 23:17) The writer warns that gazing at the seeming success of the ungodly can infect the heart with envy. The remedy is a steady walk in godly reverence. Why Envying Sinners Is Dangerous • Envy distorts reality—Psalm 73:3–18 shows how alluring prosperity looks until “you set foot in the sanctuary of God.” • It questions God’s justice—Malachi 3:14–18 contrasts the short-lived gains of the wicked with God’s book of remembrance for those who fear Him. • It corrupts character—James 3:14–16 links envy to “disorder and every evil practice.” • It forgets the end—Proverbs 24:19–20 reminds, “there will be no future for the wicked.” Cultivating a Heart That Will Not Envy 1. Keep the fear of the LORD fresh. • Proverbs 14:27: “The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life.” • Regular worship, Scripture intake, and obedience sharpen that reverence. 2. Set your mind on eternal realities. • Colossians 3:1–2 urges fixing hearts “on things above.” • 2 Corinthians 4:18 teaches that the unseen is eternal, the seen temporary. 3. Celebrate God’s goodness to you. • Psalm 103:2: “Forget not all His benefits.” • Intentional gratitude displaces covetous thoughts. 4. Measure success by faithfulness, not comparisons. • 1 Corinthians 4:2: “It is required of stewards that they be found faithful.” • Galatians 6:4: “Let each one examine his own work.” 5. Guard inputs that fuel envy. • Psalm 101:3: “I will set no worthless thing before my eyes.” • Limit media or relationships that celebrate sin’s glamour. 6. Seek fellowship with the righteous. • Proverbs 13:20: “He who walks with the wise will become wise.” • The company of God-fearing friends keeps our focus upright. Scriptures that Strengthen Resolve • Psalm 37:1–4—“Do not fret over those who do evil…Trust in the LORD and do good.” • Proverbs 24:1–2—“Do not envy wicked men…their hearts devise violence.” • 1 John 2:15–17—“The world is passing away…whoever does the will of God lives forever.” • Hebrews 13:5—“Be content with what you have, for He Himself has said, ‘I will never leave you nor forsake you.’” Putting It Into Practice Today • Begin the day with a psalm of praise; end it recounting three specific blessings. • When envy whispers, answer aloud with a relevant verse. • Serve someone in need—nothing cures envy like hands-on love. • Review the ultimate outcome: Revelation 21:7-8 contrasts the believer’s inheritance with the sinner’s fate. Looking Ahead with Confidence Envy loses its grip when the heart is captivated by the fear of the LORD and the certainty of His promises. Keep eyes on Christ, treasure His truth, and the glitter of sin will fade in the light of eternal glory. |
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