Manna Moment -- Sinful Nature Part 9

[Rev. Lyn Bell]

Galatians 5:19-21 “The acts of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.”

Good morning it is Wednesday and half the week is gone! The fall colors are really beginning to pop through as I commute in the morning; I see the trees turning from green to blazes of yellows, reds, and brilliant orange! Breath in the air, as today weather forecast is clouds and rain with a high of 67 degrees Waldorf. The amazing season change, something on God can do well!

Today’s sinful act of the flesh is envy. I always thought it went with jealousy until reading up on it. In the Greek it is called phthonos, which is a mean word. It has been considered the greatest of all diseases. The essence of it is that it is not described like jealousy which desires, nobly or not, but to have what someone else has. It is also described as a spirit which begrudges the fact that the other person has these things at all. It doesn’t so much want the thing for itself; it merely wants to take them from the other. That really changes the whole view on its meaning. It’s definitely not the same as jealousy. Basil the Great described it as “grief at your neighbor’s good fortune.” It’s a state of an embittered mind.

After reading this I certainly will be much more thoughtful at the use or implication of the word envy. I am pretty sure others too have misunderstood its meaning and have casually used it to describe someone or a situation. Oh God bless those that are envious, their spirit must be in torment. Have a bless day as we push closer to the weekend!