MAKE YOUR LIFE SUCCESSFUL!

Avoid Envying Wrongdoers

Many young ones choose to forget Jehovah because they feel that being a Witness is too restrictive.  A brother in Spain recalls how he felt as a teenager:  "I was attracted to the world because the truth seemed difficult and rigid.  It meant sitting, studying, going to meetings, putting on a tie and those were not things I enjoyed doing."  Do you sometimes feel that you are missing out because you serve God?  Perhaps it will surprise you  to know that one of the writers of the Bible experienced those very feelings.  Please open your Bible and read Psalm 73. 

Let us examine this psalm in some detail.  Verses 2 and 3 say:  "As for me, my feet had almost turned aside, my steps had nearly been made to slip.  For I became envious of the boasters, when I would see the very peace of the wicked people."  According to the  superscription, this psalm was written by Asaph.  He was a Levite musician and contemporary of King David.  (1 Chronicles 25:1, 2; 2 Chronicles 29:30)  Although he had the fine privilege of serving in God's temple, he  "became envious" of men who boasted about their lawlessness.  Things appeared to go well for them; they apparently enjoyed peace and security.  In fact, their seeming successes 'exceeded the imaginations of their hearts.'  (Verses 5, 7)  They would talk about their exploits  "in an elevated style,"  that is, in an arrogant manner.  (Verse 8)  "They would put their mouths in the heavens and their tongue would walk about in the earth,' showing regard fro no one-either in heaven  or on earth. -Verse 9.

Perhaps the same can be  said about your peers at school.  You may hear them shamelessly boast of their sexual escapades, their wild parties and their indulgence in alcohol and drugs.  When you contrast your life of so-called pleasures with the narrow way you must walk as a Christian, you might sometimes feel "envious of the boasters."  (Matthew 7:13, 14)  Asaph himself got to the point where he exclaimed:  "Surely it is in vain that I have cleansed my heart and that I wash my hands in innocence itself.  And I came to be plagued all day long."  (Verses 13, 14)  Yes, he began to question the value of serving God and leading an upright life.

Next time: The Conclusion of Avoid Envying Wrongdoers

Watchtower, 1999