Psalm 51:10 | A Satisfied Spirit

Search me, O God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts. See if there is any offensive (wicked) way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24

When was the last time you dedicated time to searching your heart for offense and wickedness? What would happen if we were to do that on a regular basis? If you’re ready to do a little (a lot of) soul searching read on.

Many times our anxious thoughts come from an unforgiving heart. If we are refusing to forgive, for any reason, that is offensive to God.

For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins. Matthew 6:14-15

Did you notice verse 15. If I (you) do not forgive others He will not forgive me (you). Those are powerful words. I can’t bear the thought of not being forgiven, can you?

Are there situations and issues in your life that you think are unfair and you are unwilling to forgive those who have harmed you? Of course, there are. Everyone has them. There are people and actions that seem, or really are, unfair and out of our control at the time they happen. What should we be doing about that? Let God have total control of all that happens to us, against, for us, without us… Give it to God! Ask Him to make you totally aware of any anger, bitterness, resentment, or envy you are harboring against anyone. Only when the burden is given to Him can we move forward and forgive.

Create in me a clean heart, oh God, and renew a right spirit in me. Psalm 51:10

Blessings to you and yours!

Marie

Recently a friend purchased a new winter coat. It was a beautiful purple wool with a silver fox collar. I knew how good I would look in the coat and also knew I simply could not afford it. So what happened…my eyes turned green with envy and I couldn’t even make myself tell her how nice she looked in it. (BTW I’m not proud of my reaction!)

Whenever you envy another”s things, looks, or skills it causes problems for everyone involved.

When I got home I decided to search the Word for what God has to say about this issue.

James 3:14 But if you have bitter envy (jealousy) and contention in your hearts, do not brag, and do not lie against the truth. (New Testament Breakthrough V ersion)

1 Corinthians 13:4 Love is patient, love is kind, it does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. (New International Version)

The Message translates envy as the opposite of wisdom.

James 3:17-18 Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. You can develop a healthy, robust community that lives right with God and enjoy its results only if you do the hard work of getting along with each other, treating each other with dignity and honor.

End of 5 minutes…but continuing on.

So what is envy? Envy is the desire for some object, character trait or skill that another already possesses. Why is it not a good thing? Easy answer…because it takes our focus off of God.

God has told us clearly that He can and will supply everything we need. All we have to do is ask. Check out Philippians 4:19 and Matthew 7:7. No one has more than God and His desire is to give it to us.

So then why do we envy? Why do we desire what belongs to someone else? Because satan knows, just like he did in Eden, that if he can get us to take our eyes off God and focus them on something else (the Green-eyed Monster) he wins.

Do not let this happen. Do not let evil win. Keep your focus on Jesus! Here are some verses to memorize and keep in your arsenal to defeat the enemy.

I love those who love me, And those who seek me diligently will find me. Proverbs 8:17 NKJV

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope. Then you will call upon Me and go and pray to Me, and I will listen to you. And you will seek Me and find Me, when you search for Me with all your heart. Jeremiah 29:11-13 NKJV