CHAPTER 14
BE ETERNALLY MINDED “Don’t let your heart envy sinners but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. For there is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” Proverbs 23:17-18
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he command sounds easier said than done “Do not let your heart envy sinners.” Some people will read this and think “But how can I obey that? How can I control what I feel?” Controlling your emotions is a foreign concept to many people in today’s society. Jesus said it can be done. In fact, He told us to do it when he said “Don’t let your heart be troubled” ( John 14:1). It can be difficult when our society, and especially Hollywood, constantly feeds us stories that celebrate the person who follows their emotions instead of their commitments or the rules. Over and over the story is shown us of a protagonist who follows their feelings, or as Hollywood often calls it their heart, and it eventually leads them to happily ever after. Our society promotes the idea that to find out who you really are, just listen to your emotions. The ridiculousness of the world’s approach is obvious when society tells a man “if you feel like a woman you must be one.” That is insane. If I am a man it doesn’t matter if I feel like woman, or a squirrel, I am still a man. God, in stark contrast with today’s culture says “If you want to know who I made you to be, ask 68
