Do not let your heart envy sinners, but live in the fear of the LORD always. Proverbs 23:17
Tabloids wink at us from every checkout stand. They urge us to keep up with the Kardashians, be as immoral as the latest starlet, and spend money to get abs like the pros. Isn’t it strange that the most godless people among us are elevated to god-like status? And we fall for it. We may not admit it, but we do. We peer into the mirror and frown, not because our eyes don’t work or our mouth won’t move. We frown because the wrinkled, speckled, lopsided face peering back does not look like the one on the cover of People magazine. The body that will get us through the day, hug a crying child, perform an honest day’s work, or help a neighbor in trouble is not as toned as the millionaire body frolicking on the beach.
Tabloids
were not around in Bible times, but envy was. The rich became richer through
dishonesty and abuse. The powerful gained more power through deception and
bribery. And God’s people tended to envy them. So Proverbs contains an
encouragement for everyone who knows the Lord. The Bible reminds us that there
will always be Kardashians, but we don’t need to keep up with them. Our eyes
are to be fixed upon Someone who is more fascinating, powerful and beautiful
than anyone the tabloids can boast. Your body may not be movie star quality,
but it can be a living sacrifice to the Lord (Rom. 12:1-2). Your face may not attract
the paparazzi, but it can reflect the glory of God (Ps. 34:5). Top that, tabloids!
Who do you envy and why? If
Jesus looked at your heroes list, would He agree with it?
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