Our text for today is Proverbs 23:17.
“Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.”
This proverb is so serious that it must not be ignored. Unfortunately, it is all too often violated. Let me give you an example.
There is a good man who loves his children and loves God.
He is also a man (or a woman) who loves a sports hero or actor and praises them openly.
Sounds harmless, but hero worship of men or women can affect our standards for ethical behavior.”
One man put it this way, “Tell me who your heroes are, and I’ll tell you who you’ll turn out to be.” There is a danger of becoming like the people we admire. Certainly, that is a great motivation for us to love and admire Jesus.
For parents, there is another caution. If you praise and admire an athlete, actor, or whoever, and they are bad examples of how to live, what are you telling your impressionable children? These children love you and want you to admire them. Of course, they want to be like the person you admire.
I also like certain sports athletes, but there ought to be a difference between admiring one’s talents and admiring the person. We ought to be careful with that distinction.
Thinking about that, read the verse again: “Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the LORD.”
I’m Lonnie Davis
And these are thoughts worth thinking.