Proverbs 14:30 - A sound heart is the
life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.
When the Bible refers to the heart it is referring to the inner being,
which would include the spirit, the mind, the will, and the emotions;
basically, everything that is within and unseen. The New Testament further
describes the heart when it speaks of the inward man or the hidden man. This
verse revealed long ago what medical science only recently discovered; the
condition of the man on the inside affects the condition of the man on the
outside; spirit affects flesh.
A sound heart is a healthy, contented heart, one that is filled with
peace and free from strife; it may not be free from occasional trouble, but it
is free from constant turmoil. People that do not compare themselves with
others and are happy with what they have, also seem to be the healthiest
people. Our attitudes affect our emotions which, in turn, affect our bodies.
That is not to suggest that all sick people are unhealthy on the inside, by no
means. Everyone is susceptible and will be challenged with some form of
sickness in their life, or in the lives of their loved ones, however, there
appears to be a priority laid out for us if we are seeking a long-term answer
for our condition.
When something is of great value to us, we are vigilant and diligent in
keeping it safe. Likewise, we must guard the greatest treasure, which is our heart
and must always be alert to its condition. In today’s world, we are very aware
of keeping our bodies fit. We understand the value of eating nutritiously and
exercising regularly, and most of us agree with that. However, if we do not
maintain peace and soundness of heart, our steady intake of whole foods and our
daily vigorous workouts may be in vain.
Envy is the type of thing that needs time to become entrenched in a
person’s life. It does not simply show up one day and ruin one’s life; it is
very subtle and initially appears as something much less dangerous than it is.
Envy is lethal, and, like poison, it functions best when undetected. It
silently searches to gain entrance and then slowly suppresses the life of its
host; it is indeed a cunning and ruthless predator.
Many times, we confuse envy with jealousy and rightly so, because they
are close cousins. It is important, however, to discern the difference.
Jealousy is a trait that wants what another person has, and it seems to be
satisfied once it possesses what it desires. If a jealous person sees that
someone has gotten a new car, for example, then they are happy once they too,
get a new car. Envy, on the other hand, goes much further; it doesn’t care to
have what another possesses; it just cares that the other does not have it.
Envy does not care to have the new car; it only cares that the other person
does not have it. Jealousy may curb and deter a person, but envy corrupts and
destroys a person right to the core; indeed, as our verse says, they become bad
to the bone.
Envy is a malicious enemy that destroys all in its path. It attacks your
spirit and consumes your vitality. It is a deadly, invisible and highly
contagious virus. Beware and be alert, because many strong people have been
infected and have succumbed to its power.
The answer, friends, like all of God’s answers, is simple; maintain a sound
heart. A sound heart is a heart that is free from envy, and what a wonderful
freedom that is. Those who have obtained and enjoy this freedom understand what
it takes to preserve it because the enemy once driven out must also be kept out
by posting alert sentries at the door of our hearts.
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