Don't Envy Them

There was a cartoon in the paper recently. The panel showed a number of boys jumping off a cliff. One boy was speaking into his cell phone. He was saying, "Mom? Hi, ah, what was that you said about 'if everyone else was jumping off a cliff'? If you get this message in the next few minutes, call me."

There was a glitch in the classic argument about not doing something just because everyone else is. Following the crowd to disaster isn't always as obvious as jumping off a cliff or bridge. There are more subtle ways of doing that very thing, that can have just as disastrous consequences.

Let me highlight five justifications – excuses – that have been used and are still in use today. Maybe one of them is yours.

Here's the situation. Traffic is slow and the car-pool lane is empty. You, however, are not at the right spot to get in. The car ahead of you goes over the yellow lines. Even though this is breaking the law, the thought comes, "If they can do it, so can I". Or, "If they aren't going to follow the rules, than neither am I". Do you suppose the state trooper would accept either of these excuses?

Here is another one of those justification used to retaliate in like manner, "Everyone is getting even, besides he did it to me first!" Elementary teachers hear this all the time. The thought is that if we've been offended then we have a right to make them pay. Be mindful of whom you are learning from.

These last tactics are similar to each other in that they try to deflect or minimize the guilt. For instance, someone is guilty of fornication. When spoken to about it, their response is, "Well at least I don't drink!" This says, in effect, that one sin is worse than all others and I'm not guilty of that.

This is similar to the next justification that says; "As bad as you think my behavior is, I'm not as bad as so and so." By making a comparison between ourselves and others we come up woefully short. The behavior of others is a poor standard to guide our own. We have one example, that is Jesus.

One last example is attacking the messenger. No doubt you've had this one used on you, to deflect the guilt. When talking to someone about an offense, they shoot back, "well you're not so perfect yourself". They want to change the subject from their behavior to yours. Slick side step.

All of these excuses are used to make us feel better about our sin. We choose to live like those in the broad way of destruction. Think about the crowd you're following.

The wisdom from Proverbs tells us, "Do not let your heart envy sinners [whatever they may be doing or getting] but be zealous for the fear of Yahweh all the day. For surely there is a hereafter and your hope [in Yahweh] will not be cut off' (23:17-18). A related passage tells us, "Don't fret because of evil doers. Nor be envious of the wicked. Because there will be no prospect [anything to look forward to] for the evil man. The lamp of the wicked will be put out" (24:19-20)

When people are confronted because of bad behavior, there really is only one good reaction. That would be repentance. There is more to life than momentary gratification. We understand that there are eternal consequences involved. When you feel wronged or left out, remember the hope we have from Yahweh through Jesus.

Blessing be on you
Chuck Jones

 

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