Be Careful God Has Proscribed These Commonplace Habits

Galatians 5:26
Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.

Good News Translation
We must not be proud or irritate one another or be jealous of one another.

There is a difference between prescribing and proscribing. God has proscribed these commonplace habits. That means God has forbidden anyone from acting this way. The actions may be commonplace, meaning it is accepted as normal, but God has proscribed them.

When something is proscribed, it means you shouldn’t do it or else you will be considered a criminal and rebellious sinner. To continue doing what is proscribed is to confront the authorities. To participate in what is proscribed is contrary to God’s will.

The Bible tells us that God has proscribed pride. Feeling better than others. Acting like others are lesser than you. Acting and believing that without you everyone would be unlucky.

Pride is what makes us social misfits. Pride is the reason why you are avoided by people. Pride is what turns people off. Pride seems like confidence but it is misplaced. Pride is the reason some wrongly feel like they should punish you to humble you.

Pride is the reason why you can’t be helped and warned. You are too proud people aren’t sure it is safe to help you. Pride is the reason why people of sound mind avoid you as sycophants mill around you as they feed your pride.

Because of pride, our testimony is marred and unacceptable. Because of pride, we can’t work with anyone. Because of pride, our influence is curtailed. Therefore, we are ineffective in spreading the gospel. God has proscribed pride!

God has also proscribed the habit of provoking others. Starting a brawl. Initiating a quarrel. Causing another person to feel bad. Irritating another person. making someone uncomfortable. God has proscribed provocation and irritation of others!

Toxic environments are made of irritations and provocations. Toxic people are those who irritate and provoke others. God has proscribed that common habit!

Stalking someone’s social media activities is a provocation. Making demeaning comments masquerading as a light note action is wrong. You are hurting others and excusing it as your unique behavior is wrong. God has proscribed these habits!

God has also proscribed envious feelings. Feelings of jealousy. Bitterly wishing that someone doing well would fail and you be in that place of success. Being unhappy that someone is successful. When the prosperity and excellence of another person make you sick, you are an envious person, full of jealousy. God has proscribed your feelings and you need to urgently seek divine help.

May God save us from people who have the habits He has proscribed. May God save us from these proscribed habits, in Jesus’ name, Amen!

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