Belong 201: The Envy Trap

MONDAY

To understand the commandments is to understand human nature. God reveals our weaknesses through them “for he understands how we are formed, he remembers that we are dust” (Psalms 103:14). Read Exodus 20:17. We are all guilty of one form of covetousness or another and need to understand it so that through Jesus Christ we can overcome! First look up the word covet or covetousness in a dictionary (the Nelson’s Illustrated Bible Dictionary has an especially clear definition in it). Write the definition down. Now list the things God speaks of in the commandment that we are covetous of. Remember that the word neighbor includes everyone! Which of these things do you struggle with the most and why? Bring your sin to the Lord in prayer and ask for forgiveness and deliverance. He will hear the prayer of faith and he will answer!!

TUESDAY

Today we are going to look at the result of a covetous heart. Remember when God issued the commandments to his children he also promised that those who obeyed would inherit the promised land (a land flowing with milk and honey--Canaan)!! Read Joshua 5-7. Here we see God in his awesome power fulfilling his promise to the Israelites. He is delivering a great and powerful city into their hands in order to give them the promised land. God clearly shows them that he provides everything they need. Take note of 6:17-19. He specifically tells them that all the silver, gold, bronze and iron in Jericho was to be devoted to the Lord, they were not to take these as personal possessions. What was Achin’s sin? What was the cause of this sin? Do you see how dangerous it is to follow the desires of the heart? What was the consequences of Achin’s sin for himself? His family? And all Israel? If you read chapter 8 you will see how foolish Achin was to take what God had not yet given him. The next city God gave to Israel was called Ai and with this city he allowed them to take the very articles that Achin coveted. He just was not patient enough to let the Lord provide for him. Understand that God is to be revered and that we will also die if we submit to covetousness as opposed to the Lord!! Truly “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov.9:10). Write Matthew 6:21 on an index card and commit it to heart! Make sure that the Lord and his kingdom are what you treasure above all else!!

WEDNESDAY

Read 1Corinthians 10:1-13 and you will see that everything written in the Old Testament was written as an example for you and me! Now turn to 2Kings 5. What motivated Gehazi to lie to Namaan? What was it he desired? What was the result of his sin? Apply this to your own life. Are you honest with your brothers and sisters and your discipler about the things you are pursuing and want or are you like Gehazi, pursuing these things and then trying to hide it? Is there anything you are doing (coveting) that you do not want to be open about ? Understand that you are called to live in the light (1John 1:5-7). Confess your sin to the Lord and to another brother or sister who is able to pray for you, advise you and help you (see James 5:13-16)! Remember that in the Lord “we are more than conquerors through him who loved us”(Romans 8:37).

THURSDAY

Hopefully you have already been convicted about the sin of covetousness in your life, if not, prepare for today’s quiet time! Let’s read James 4:1-10. Do you recognize the desires that battle within you? What are they? How are you at controlling them? What is the answer to your struggles? Write verse 7 on an index card, and carry it with you until you memorize it! Make signs with scriptures to hang in your room or on your refrigerator which will help you overcome your struggles.

FRIDAY

Understanding who and what we really are and where we stand before God requires spiritual maturity. Read Romans 7&8 and learn from the apostle Paul. What did sin produce in Paul? How did Paul view himself in v.18? Why did he view himself this way? How do you see yourself in relation to God? According to chapter 8 what are we obligated to live by? How can we accomplish this? Take time to reflect on what it means to live according to the Spirit. What are some things you will do today to please the Spirit as opposed to pleasing the flesh? Call a brother or sister and share these things with him or her!

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