One of Satan’s Greatest Tools!
Discontentment is one of Satan’s greatest tools!
Fall of Lucifer – Discontent
Satan was discontent with who he was, the authority he had, and felt he was above God!!
Isaiah 14:12-15(NLT)
“How you are fallen from heaven,
O shining star, son of the morning!
You have been thrown down to the earth,
you who destroyed the nations of the world.
For you said to yourself,
‘I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God’s stars.
I will preside on the mountain of the gods
far away in the north.
I will climb to the highest heavens
and be like the Most High.’
Instead, you will be brought down to the place of the dead,
down to its lowest depths.”
Fall of man – Discontentment
Eve wanted to be like God…sound familiar? We see the same temptations in Matthew 4:1-11, when he tempted Jesus!
Genesis 3:2-6(NLT)
“Of course we may eat fruit from the trees in the garden,” the woman replied.
“It’s only the fruit from the tree in the middle of the garden that we are not allowed to eat. God said, ‘You must not eat it or even touch it; if you do, you will die.’”
“You won’t die!” the serpent replied to the woman. “God knows that your eyes will be opened as soon as you eat it, and you will be like God, knowing both good and evil.”
The woman was convinced. She saw that the tree was beautiful and its fruit looked delicious, and she wanted the wisdom it would give her. So she took some of the fruit and ate it. Then she gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it, too.
Discontentment Is Sin
Let’s call it for what it is! We joke around about it but it is SIN and when we entertain thoughts we are playing with fire in a 7 year drought!
“Those who love money will never have enough. How meaningless to think that wealth brings true happiness!” Ecclesiastes 5:10(NLT)
The temptation to sin usually begins with our discontentment about who we are or what we have.
James 1:14-15(NLT)
“Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death.”
For instance, consider financial sins. How much grief would be avoided if we were satisfied with our income? If we didn’t crave more and more of the things money can buy, would we enslave ourselves to creditors?
Proverbs 5:18-19(NLT)
“Let your wife be a fountain of blessing for you.
Rejoice in the wife of your youth.
She is a loving deer, a graceful doe.
Let her breasts satisfy you always.
May you always be captivated by her love.”
Another example of discontent involves emotional and sexual adultery. Immorality and the devastation it brings on families, individuals, and society would never happen if men and women were satisfied with their mates. Sinful actions always spring from ungodly thoughts and attitudes. A discontented spirit is an open door to unholy behavior and is rebellion against God.
How many things in life happen because of discontentment? Wars, Lies, Adultery, Adultery of the HEART, regrets missing your family’s lives, regrets of lost relationships, financial hardships, failed marriages, low self-esteem, stealing, murders, and corruption are just some of the results of discontentment.
Don’t be naive!
Don’t think it can’t happen to you! Look all through the Bible and find instances of people of God falling due to not being content. Adam, Saul, David, and Solomon are some off the top! Think of all the pastors you hear about committing adultery or stealing money! Do you think they meant to become ADULTERERS and THIEVES? NO!!! They entertained thoughts, which took root in their hearts until it birthed sin! Reading the New Testament, Heb 13:5, Lk 12:15, Phil 4:11-12, Lk 3:14, and 1 Tim 6:6-11 are just a few scriptures warning us about staying content!
Matthew 6: 21 & Luke 12:34(NLT)
“Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.”
How to Resist
Control your thoughts! Temptation is not a sin, but yielding to it is! When thoughts of discontentment pop into your head rebuke it and start praising God for EVERYTHING God has blessed you with! Family who loves you, jobs, vehicles, house, kids, etc!! Most of all keep your eyes are the coming of Christ! How much He loves us that He was willing to die for our sins! Do things for the least of these!
Matthew 25:35-40 (NIV)
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ “Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ “The King will reply, ‘I tell you the truth, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of mine, you did for me.”
I do not know why but I have found that when I serve/help others, contentment is practiced in my life. Though times when I became selfish, discontentment was practiced and it was hard to think of others…even my spouse! We have to practice it!!!!
1 Peter 1:13(NLT)
“So think clearly and exercise self-control. Look forward to the gracious salvation that will come to you when Jesus Christ is revealed to the world.”
Hebrews 12:1-2(NLT)
“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.Because of the joyawaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Philippians 4:5-7(NLT)
“Let everyone see that you are considerate in all you do. Remember, the Lord is coming soon. Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done. Then you will experience God’s peace, which exceeds anything we can understand. His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus.”
