February 28, 2022: Having A Grateful Heart Toward God Can Remove Any Envy That May Have Taken Root.

I heard an inspiring message yesterday at our Sunday services that dealt with envy in our hearts and the devastation it can bring if we do not get rid of it. Envy can be so rooted in our lives that we may not know that it is there.

Definition of Envy:

A feeling of discontented or resentful longing aroused by someone else's possessions, qualities, or luck.

Synonyms: enviousness, covetousness, desire, resentment, resentfulness,

bitterness, discontent, spite.

In the Book of I Peter we are admonished not to walk in such a way. We are counseled to get rid of such feelings of malice, deceit, and envy. Read the following:

1 Peter 2: 1-3 (NIV)

Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind.2 Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is good.

As we look at what is happening in our world today, Russia and its dictator, Putin, has surrendered to all these feelings of evil and selfish desires. But let us not fool ourselves. We too can be easily drawn into such selfish desires as well if we are not careful of where our heart lies.

The only defense we can have, is to be fully and absolutely surrendered to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. It is only through the death of our "self-will" can we overcome such evil desires. Let us remember what the Apostle Paul says in the Book of Galatians:

Galatians 2: 20 (NKJV))

I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.

PERSONNAL COMMENT:

Let us fall to our knees and ask the Lord to help us examine our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to help change us from within. Let us also pray for the people of Ukraine that help may come to them quickly.