Envying The Sinners

 

Envying The Sinners

    

Proverbs 23:17-18 ESV

Let not your heart envy sinners, 

but continue in the fear of the Lord all the day. 

Surely there is a future,

    and your hope will not be cut off.

    Have you ever envied a sinner? Have you ever wanted things that others had from the world? I don't know about you, but I was insane regarding this. I just did not understand how they were so successful and more "happy." I was experiencing the same thing as what Asaph was in Psalm 73. For example, in the third verse, Asaph writes, "For I was envious of the arrogant when I saw the prosperity of the wicked." How did they "prosper"? We read in the 12th verse: "Behold, these are the wicked; always at ease, they increase in riches." To Asaph, it seemed as if the wicked lived a good life after all and he kept his heart clean in vain. (13th verse) From one perspective, they do live a "good life" and an "easy life." Many of them prosper in riches, fame, and in sinful pleasures. They receive their glory here on earth. In Proverbs, Solomon suggests or commands that we do not envy the sinners. If not envy, what are we supposed to do then? Is there really something better out there? Is there something that can make our lives worth living beyond the riches, fame, and pleasures of this world? 

    Shortly put it, yes, there is something with more value and meaning. For this, we will look at Psalm 16:11 "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." David in this Psalm expresses his relationship with God. I know that this was a reality in his life and not just the "motions." This was David's true spiritual state. Yes, he had difficulties and also sinned, but he always came back to God. At the end of the day, the One who has all the pleasures is God. At the end of the day, the One who causes us to rejoice is God himself. Until we will believe this with all of our heart, we will continue to envy the sinners. Until we grasp this beautiful truth, we will never experience true joy and true-everlasting pleasures.  I have to say that those who live for themselves do prosper. It may seem from the outside that they are happy and living the good life. The issue is that that is not true. Most of these people are in fear. All of these are in sin and what "joy" can sin bring to someone? Do you think that being a slave to sin is full of joy? I don't think so. 

    Let's talk about what kind of hope sinners have... Beyond this life, please tell me what hope sinners have. I have a hard time figuring that one out. I may be wrong, but I am convinced that there is no hope for any sinner. The whole Bible testifies how sinful and corrupt we are. It shows our nature and what we are prone to do; to wander and indulge in sin. Where do sinners go? To hell; away from God. It's that simple. And you know what? We all deserve to go to hell. But, it doesn't end there. God according to his great love and mercy came down to earth to die for sinners. Those who have been saved, have hope for eternal life. 

    Unlike people who aren't saved, we have hope for the future. Our life does not end here. If you look at the people who live in sin, they do everything to be satisfied here on earth. They put all their energy so that they can have the pleasures of this world. They do this because they have no future. This life is only their hope. Since there is no future for them, what else would they be doing? Those who are God's children are ought to live differently. I am supposed to live with a different mindset. This is done through the Holy Spirit who changes us and transforms us. These two verses, we as believers can stand on. There is a point in suffering, pain, abstaining from the world/sin, and living for God. There are a purpose and end goal to it all. This should bring us peace. This should motivate us to live for God and not envy the sinners. What do they have that we don't have? Yes, they may have sin and the pleasures of this world. But, in Psalm 16:11 David writes, "You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore." I don't know if you believe this truth. If you do, there is no reason why you should envy the sinners. We may not get it "easy" here on earth, but I know for sure that there is a place waiting for the saved ones in heaven. In Revelation chapter 21 and 22, it talks about the New Heaven and what it will be like. I mean, God himself will wipe our tears away! 

    In conclusion, if you are born again and a child of God, you ought to live and think differently. God is not hiding anything from us. We must go through all the sufferings and trials so that we would be prepared to meet Jesus Christ. I encourage you to memorize these verses or at least the 18th verse. Don't forget, there is a future and your hope will not be cut off.