The Book of Proverbs
Part 6
Rageful & Envious Heart
Envious Heart
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord.”
-Proverbs 23:17
1. Sinful Envy
2. Non-sinful Envy
Non-sinful Envy
A normal, healthy admiration for someone or something that doesn’t lead to sin.
Example:
Wouldn’t it be wonderful to be able to _____!
Sinful Envy
A normal, healthy admiration gone bad. [Leads to sin]
It usually leads to Jealousy that someone else has what you think that you deserve.
Hatred & Rage can occur.
Rageful Heart
“A person’s own folly leads to their ruin, yet their heart rages against the Lord.”
-Proverbs 19:3
“This is what the Lord says: ‘Cursed is the one who trusts in man, [Man = anything “not God”] who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the Lord. [Think of it as their being “cursed” by their actions, not cursed by God because of their actions. Their actions produce consequences.] 6 That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will NOT see prosperity when it comes. [Blinded by rage] They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. BUT blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him. 8 They will be like a tree planted by the water… It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.’ 9 The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it? [In ministry, it has been my observation that not many people are as “in touch with” their own emotions, or the emotions of others as they should be.] 10 ‘I the Lord search the heart and examine the mind, [and so should each one of us as well] to reward each person according to their conduct, according to what their deeds deserve.’”
-Jeremiah 17:5-10
Enraged People in the Bible
Cain
Pharoah
Moses
King Saul
King Herod at Jesus’ birth
King Herod at John the Baptist
Jewish Leaders with Jesus
All the Martyrs since then.
Fruit of the Spirit
“Love, joy peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control.”
-Ephesians 5:22
“In your hearts set apart [revere] Christ as Lord.”
-1 Peter 3:15
This will enable us to be under God’s control, rather than out of control with rage and anger!
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