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“Envy thou not the oppressor, and choose none of his ways.”
— Proverbs 3:31 (KJV)
May I tell you something the old saints used to say: just because somebody looks like they’re winning, doesn’t mean their soul is well.
The oppressor may shine for a season. They may strut with titles, money, and applause. But what does the Scripture say? Don’t envy them. Don’t even glance at their ways. Because what they’re building is not peace—it’s destruction dressed up in power.
Black Auntie Wisdom from God
- Don’t be fooled by the glitter: Some things shine because they’re polished; others shine because they’re poisonous.
- Not all power is blessed: True power protects the weak. False power oppresses them.
- Watch the fruit, not the show: What grows from their life? Peace or pain?
Why This Matters
Envy makes us think we’re missing out. It whispers, “Maybe if I moved like them, I’d get ahead too.” But God’s teachings are clear: don’t copy cruelty, don’t admire exploitation, don’t fall in love with oppression. Those who oppress others are not models to follow—they are warnings to avoid.
What We Need Instead
The world doesn’t need more loud voices building on broken backs. We need people of compassion, of empathy, of courage. People who hold justice in one hand and mercy in the other. People who lift without crushing, who lead without stealing.
Reflection Prayer
Lord, keep my eyes from envying the ways of the oppressor. Teach me to desire the paths of peace, justice, and truth. Surround me with wise voices who remind me that not every crown is worth wearing, and not every throne is worth sitting on. Amen.
