Envious vs. Expansion
Envious vs. Expansion
Have you asked yourself "What is it about others that I envy?" Do you compare yourself, your kids, or your house to those of others? Do you have envious thoughts when you view others' posts on Facebook or Instagram? Do you secretly wish that ( well, you fill in the blank)? Are your thoughts wrapped and consumed with what others think of you more than the things of God?
First Peter 2:1 reads: "So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.”
What is God instructing us to do in this verse? He is asking us to put away all that does not honor and glorify Him. Are you willing? Will you model this choice for your children? Your friends? Your neighbors? And most importantly in your personal relationship with God?
God calls us to prepare our minds for action, being “sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ” ~~ 1 Peter 1:13.
How to Get Ready for Expansion ...
Envy is a toxic emotion. It attaches itself to our core being and floods us with negativity and further separates us from Him and His great purpose and call on our lives - especially as women! As this emotion rushes in it invades our core thoughts, desires, and beliefs. What actually happens is a disconnect not only from God, but from people around us, too. Our thoughts are very powerful. Instead, we must make the choice to believe that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made. ” Marvelous are His works for us!
First ...
Let's prepare our minds, realizing and accepting that God has chosen us, and we are now holy people unto Him. His instruction to us is to “be holy in all your conduct” (1 Peter 1:15). Yes, He calls us to prepare our minds and thoughts by first of all seeking His kingdom. In so doing we will push out the lies of the enemy and press into His truth.
In order for God to expand our hearts and expand His kingdom (i.e.: to get ready for revival), we must first “put away” all that does not honor and glorify Him. Will you begin to put away ALL envy, slander, and malice?
Second ...
We must humble our hearts and ask God to help us tear down envy, malice, and deceit. How do we begin to make this change? God says, in 1 Peter:
“I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation” (1 Peter 2: 11-12).
Will you be willing to glorify God in EVERYTHING you think, desire, and do? Only, when we begin to prepare our minds, humble our hearts, and pray can we expand our heart and the kingdom.
Third ...
We must be willing to seek Him in prayer. Prayer is our lifeline to God! In order to really be alive in Him, we have to become willing (like Daniel, the Old Testament prophet) to seek Him earnestly and diligently ALL the time – to really enjoy Him. Have you ever thought that when you go to seek Him that you may just discover that it is enjoyable simply to be in His presence?
Fourth...
Realize that your true purpose and calling is to not only expand your heart, but also to expand the Kingdom of God. First Peter 5:6 reads:
“Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God, so at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood, throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you.”
Let us not live as orphans being devoured by envy, malice, and comparison. No! We must take our thoughts, desires, and actions and present them fully and sacrificially to God, surrender our will to Him, and humbly ask Him to give us His eternal perspective.
A Paradigm Shift ...
What we need is a paradigm shift so that we comprehend that we’re only passing through during our time on earth. Then envy has no hold. Let's have our lives be all about what is eternal. Are you ready? Will you get prepared?
Seek, pray, and search the scriptures. I am desperate to see revival not only in our hearts and homes BUT all over this land. Will you join me and press out envy and replace it with an expanding heart to further His kingdom?
“But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of the darkness into his marvelous light. Once you were not a people, but now you are God’s people; once you had not received mercy but now you have received mercy” ~~ 1 Peter 2:8-10.
Pray with Me ...
Lord, let us know that once we were lost, but now we are saved! Lord, let us grab hold of Your truth and Your Word, and finally understand what You say about us; for we are a royal priesthood, chosen, holy, and called out of the darkness and into the light. We are no longer orphans but chosen ones! Lord, take our worldly thoughts, envy, and evil comparison, and replace them with thoughts of eternity and of heaven with You, Lord. I desire to think Godly thoughts. Lord, God, help me to prepare myself each day by reading and meditating upon Your Word. Lord, I want the Word to saturate my being enabling me to hold fast to Your truths and promises. Amen.
Scripture Passages for Further Study ...
“No eye has seen, nor ear has heard, nor the heart of man imagined what God has prepared for those who love him” ~~ 1 Corinthians 2:9.
“Humble yourselves, therefore under the mighty hand of God, so at the proper time he may exalt you, casting all your anxieties on him, because he cares for you. Be sober-minded; be watchful, for your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood, throughout the world. And after you have suffered a little while. The God of all grace, who has called you to his eternal glory in Christ will himself restore, confirm, strengthen and establish you” ~~ 1 Peter 5:6.
“But because the God who called you is holy; you must be holy in every aspect of your life” ~~ 1 Peter 1:15 (GOD'S WORD).
"Love is patient, love is kind, it is not envious. Love does not brag, it is not puffed up" ~~ 1 Corinthians 13:4 (NET BIBLE).
~ Elizabeth Bowman