July 10 - Oppressed To Covet.

Proverbs 28:16
“The prince that wanteth understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hateth covetousness shall prolong his days.”
 
To want understanding is to be without it, and therefore foolish.
Those without Wisdom, especially those in authority, seek to oppress those around them.
 
Ecclesiastes 4:1
“So I returned, and considered all the oppressions that are done under the sun: and behold the tears of such as were oppressed, and they had no comforter; and on the side of their oppressors there was power; but they had no comforter.”
 
Covetousness is a sin of those who desire something they do not have.
The rich and powerful are rarely content with what they have, but contentment is something that we all struggle with.
 
Luke 12:15
“And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.”
 
How often do we covet that which is not ours?
In today’s technological age of social media, the art of comparison abounds.  We are constantly bombarded by the superficial façade of our friends and followers. Our feeds are full of prideful posts that display the materialism and narcissism of people that makes our flesh desire to have what they seem to have.
 
This is simply another tactic the devil uses to oppress our minds and discourage our spirits. When we realize this, it makes it much easier to deflect the effects of covetousness by choosing to seek shelter under the shadow of the wings of Wisdom.
 
Psalm 17:8-12
“Keep me as the apple of the eye, hide me under the shadow of thy wings, From the wicked that oppress me, from my deadly enemies, who compass me about. They are inclosed in their own fat: with their mouth they speak proudly. They have now compassed us in our steps: they have set their eyes bowing down to the earth; Like as a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.”
 
The roaring lion seeks to devour God’s children. May we not be ignorant of his devices, and instead seek to counter his attacks with the Word of Wisdom.
 
Satan flees at the mention of the Name of Jesus.
He has no power when the Word of God is mentioned.
 
We can fight the devil the same way that Jesus did, by quoting the Word.
See what happened the many times Jesus said, “For it is written” in Matthew 4.
 
When you are a faced with oppression or covetousness, turn to the Truth of the Scriptures for the Wisdom you need to defeat the attacks of the enemy.
 
Hebrews 13:5-6
“Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.
So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.”
 
 
Bible Reading:
2 Chronicles 15-16  |  1 Timothy 1  |  Proverbs 10