ByWe live in a world where many people are in hot pursuit of earthly possessions such as money, cars, phones, houses, children, recognition, etc. So when a person doesn’t have these things, people see him (or her) as poor.
Unfortunately, many of us, especially the youth, aren’t taught how God sees life. So some of us get raised in the culture of thinking that life is about having earthly possessions. In fact, some people think Christianity is a means to amass physical possessions unto oneself, which is false. If you understand God’s definition of (eternal) life, you’d probably defeat envious thoughts suggested by the devil in your mind effortlessly.
Understand what (eternal) life means
God is the source of life. Therefore, He has the correct definition of life. If God is eternal, then His life is also eternal. He can extend His eternal life to anybody He wants to. But in 1 John 5:11-12, the Bible states clearly that God’s eternal life has been placed in His Son Jesus. So whoever wants it must go to the Son. That is why a part of Jesus’s declaration in John 14:6 is “I am the life.”
Don’t confuse the result with the raw material.
Jesus is the perfect representation of eternal life. Therefore, anybody who receives Jesus as Lord and personal Saviour has eternal life, which is the life of God.
However, Jesus expanded what eternal life means in John 17:3 that says,
And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.
From this verse, eternal life is about divine knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, the sent. So God’s definition of life doesn’t consist of the abundance of possessions. And I think this is where many people haven’t gotten this spiritual understanding well.
Eternal life is about divine knowledge of God and Jesus Christ, the sent.
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Christianity isn’t about your earthly possessions. When you know God, those possessions become a fruit of the divine knowledge you have. Don’t confuse the result with the raw material. So when the devil suggests a thought of envy of another person’s belongings, you as God’s child must reply to him that eternal life is all about knowing God and Jesus Christ, not having the latest iPhone, car, house, or any earthly possession.
Cast down imaginations
Envious thoughts and imaginations don’t come from God. They’re from the pit of hell. And according to 2 Corinthians 10:5 (KJV), such thoughts (and imaginations) are to be cast down because they aren’t in synchrony with the teachings of Christ.
When you envy what another man has, it’s like valuing his possession above him, which speaks very poorly about honouring the person. Do not entertain envious thoughts, else your desire to have them will grow to the extent of lusting for them.
Encourage yourself in the Lord
Christianity has nothing to do with mediocrity and poverty. You may be a disciple of Christ and not be a super-rich person. Encourage yourself in the Lord by obeying the scriptures.
God has several ways of blessing you without your need to envy what others have. Don’t worry about your life or even chase earthly possessions and pleasures. Seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all the things people seek for in their earthly lives will be added (magnetized) unto you [Matthew 6:33]. Remember that following the Lord with your heart is not a waste.
