Envy and Resentment are like a notorious WWE Tag Team Wrestling Champion. Envy begins each bout, distracting opponents by focusing on what others have instead of how God has blessed you. The moment you fail prey to this tactic, resentment hits you over the head with a chair. This is immediately followed by a punch to your gut before ending up in a headlock, struggling to break free. Anyone who fails to come to their senses will be dragged away like a rag doll. This is how envy and resentment lead people to some of the most vile and wretched places on earth.
Pilate answered them, saying, “Do you want me to set free for you the King of the Jews?” 10 For he was aware that the chief priests had turned Jesus over to him because of envy and resentment, Mark 15:9-10.
During the first century, Jesus was despised by the ruling class. The thought of a carpenter from Nazareth developing a massive spiritual following offended the chief priests, elders and scribes. When his disciples failed to adhere to Jewish ceremonial laws, this lack of observance opened the door for envy and resentment to consume these religious leaders. If Jesus’ popularity continued without some sort of intervention, the power of future Pharisees and Sadducees was in jeopardy of being stripped away. Thus, envy and resentment fueled this elite group to conspire, plot and pressure authorities to crucify Jesus.
Let all bitterness and wrath and anger and clamor and slander be put away from you, along with all malice, Ephesians 4:31.
When the apostle Paul turned his back on Judaism to follow Jesus Christ, he began to experience pushback from envy and resentment. Human nature feeds off of the acts of the sinful nature, thriving on venting frustrations as well as unleashing your anger on others. Yet, if this run away train of emotions possesses you, exhibit A features Cain who killed his brother due to jealousy. Today, America’s ruling establishment is teaming up with the deep state to foil Donald Trump’s presidency. This resistance has lasted more than a year, crushing souls along the way. Perhaps its time to take a step back before envy and resentment devours another victim. May the passages above convict hearts before any further actions are taken. If not, envy and resentment may lead participants to an undesirable eternal destination.
by Jay Mankus
ExpressYourself4Him 