2 Samuel 11:1 And it came to pass, after the year was expired, at the time when kings go forth to battle, that David sent Joab, and his servants with him, and all Israel; and they destroyed the children of Ammon, and besieged Rabbah. But David tarried still at Jerusalem.

In a study on how believers who have a relationship with Jesus get caught up in sin, I looked to David’s sin with Bathsheba to discover what preceded that occasion. What I first discovered was that King David wasn’t taking care of kingdom business. It seems that if we are about doing kingdom business there is a protective covering which God provides while serving His will.

David was the anointed king, his role and responsibilities were easily seen and understood. Where do we fit in to God’s will? What are your roles and responsibilities? If you are a priest or pastor that is an easy answer. What about the rest of us? Where do we fit in God’s kingdom business? This is one of the most difficult and troublesome of questions within the body of Christ. Where do I fit in?

If you will accept the Word to be true for you as it is given to be understood in plain a text reading, then first begin with the moment of being born again. Being born in the spirit is likened unto being born of water because it is a new beginning to which you know nothing about this world you have just entered. As a baby from the womb of your mother the natural position is of helplessness. We are totally dependent on everything because we cannot help ourselves. We grow little by little, step by step, from one age to the nest.

If you are born again in the spirit while you are fifteen or twenty-five, or thirty-five or even sixty-five there is a refusal within the natural experience to recognize and accept total dependency. We fight to find our place within the body that says “I am forty years old, don’t treat me like a baby.”

The key to beginning the growth process is accepting that as a truth in kingdom life. Step one.

Insidious is defined as operating or proceeding in an inconspicuous or seemly harmless way but actually with grave effect: source Dictionary.com

I started off today’s devotion with a definition so that my intent will be clear.

Job 5:2 For wrath killeth the foolish man, and envy slayeth the silly one.

Proverbs 3:31 Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.

Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Ezekiel 35:11 Therefore, as I live, saith the Lord God, I will even do according to thine anger, and according to thine envy which thou hast used out of thy hatred against them; and I will make myself known among them, when I have judged thee.

Envy is insidious. It decays the soul from the inside with but a tiny spot on the surface. It is such a little thing. Surely such a little thing cannot do such harm? But it does. It can hide behind humility and cause root decay. It does not have to show itself outwardly like anger and is more dangerous because of it.

It steals joy and gratitude yet does not quiet the music or the singing. Its speech can be confident and misleading. “I am so happy for you.” “The Lord has blessed you.” “Isn’t that wonderful.” All the while it eats at you soul with quiet distain and contempt.

Envy is not vain, it works its insidious delights in the depths of the heart. It will not allow the heart to love as the Lord intended, with all sincerity and selfless service.

James 3:13-17 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom. But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth. This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish. For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work. But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

Envy is insidious.