THE SOUL NINJA CHAPTER 2

As a recap, we covered some of the Pride tribe of the Soul Ninja in our last discussion. We concluded that there were ways of determining if one were under the influence of the toxins of their weapons and how to administer the antidote. Please refer to the "Introduction to Soul Ninja" blog located on this site.

This is a brief discussion on the very close-knit tribe of Envy. Like the Pride tribes weaponry, the Envy tribe also uses its own brand of toxins. These toxins can lead to physical death and destruction if left untreated. Let's look at the symptoms and methods of the clans of this tribe. The tribe itself is very close-knit as stated before, so one could confuse the symptoms of the toxins with another clan of the same tribe.

The Main Tribe: Envy

The envy "Sinja" normally likes to prey on and individual that sees something that he/she didn't want until they saw someone else with it. The toxin will make its victim feel entitled to a thing be it tangible or intangible that they don't rightly posses. Not only that, but the victim will believe that they deserve whatever it is more than the owner. So they, instead of taking the role of a student ("Hey, nice car. How much was it? Can you teach me how to get one of my own" or "wow, you are a very successful saleswoman, can you teach me how to be one too"). They seek to degrade ("If I had the car that Pastor "----" has, I would be more successful than he. That should be my car, not his." "If I had the same opportunity that she had, I would be twice as successful than she. That should be my opportunity, not hers."). The toxin then leads to resentment of the other person. This even occurs when there is not a real acquaintance. The toxin can be very deadly when the actual owner of the envied object is an acquaintance. In many cases, it leads to unhealthy competition. When in the home, it can lead to overspending to keep up. It can also lead to neglect in the home due to the victim's focus being misguided. In the church, this can lead to an attack of pride along with the envy clan to produce idolatry "You see, my church is bigger than yours. I have a better title. I am a bishop and I get more money than you. I have better spiritual gifts. I am a better pastor/leader". It can also cause divisions in the church or ministry. It can cause one to lose sight of the fellowship of the saints as well as neglect of those in need. This could lead to the victim sabotaging the other person. Also to backbiting, gossip, bitterness, malice, and in extreme cases, downright hatred. This toxin can lead to physical harm or even murder. This example is seen in the book of Genesis 4. When Cain was envious of his brother because he was respected while Cain wasn't. Of course, this leads to the murder of Abel. Some may be reading this and confusing these symptoms with the toxins from the next clan, who's venom is very close.

The Clan of Jealousy

Often confused with the same toxin of the tribal leader, this clan's venom is normally administered when there are more people involved. Often times, this venom is mixed with the envy venom. As the envy normally attacks those that want what others have. Jealousy normally attacks those who want to keep people to themselves. When the venom sets in, it gets stronger with insecurity and mistrust. It causes possessiveness in it's advanced stages and even causes the victim to treat the object of their jealousy as if they are property and not people. This attack often comes when the jealousy clan sneaks in behind protectiveness. When a husband sees another man trying to mishandle his wife, he can and should be protective. However, when attacked by jealousy, he also becomes possessive and can take it out on the wife. This can lead to abuse both mental and physical. Of course, this kind of attack can be brought on by experiencing betrayal from a loved one or especially a spouse. This causes mistrust and festers into extreme jealousy. Victims of this toxin have a hard road to recovery. It is often quite painful. This can also happen between siblings with parents. More so with parents and grandparents. In truth, the only one that has the right to be physically and spiritually jealous is the Lord. We were made for Him and we are his property and no other god has a right. This is why God is a jealous God. Our next clan is also mistaken for the other two or the name is used interchangeably, however, it is different.

The Clan of Covetousness

Born of the envy tribe just as the jealousy clan, this one can be the most malicious. The attacks come normally once the envy venom is set in. Then the "Sinja" from this clan seizes the opportunity to prey on the weakened victim. This victim then not only wants what is not theirs but they also attempt to take it dishonestly. This victim tends to think that they not only deserve it but have the right to take it for themselves. They have no regard for the person that they are hurting even to the point of death. They are only working to satisfy their own lusts for power, affection, riches.

In this example, I will try to describe how this tribe works together.

Remember the story of David and Bathsheba found in 2 Samuel 11.

When David saw Bathsheba bathing, he lusted after her. When he asked who she was, and he found that she was Uriah's wife, he had ENVY for Uriah for having something that he didn't know he wanted until he saw her. When she was clean from her menstrual cycle, he called for her and COVETED her because he wanted what Uriah had. Now in the story, Uriah didn't know what had been done because he wouldn't fall for the trickery of going home. However, if Uriah would've found out what happened with his wife, we would have been JEALOUS because that was his wife and not David's. See here how these all work together so closely and often they do the same today.

This tribe's power mainly comes from ungrateful hearts and minds. We are often guilty of counting the lack instead of rejoicing in what we have. When we count the lack, we end up comparing it to what others have. If we are not careful, these sinja will strike. We must take a note from the apostle Paul as he wrote in Philippians 4:11-13

11 Not that I speak in regard to need, for I have learned in whatever state I am, to be content:

12 I know how to be abased, and I know how to abound. Everywhere and in all things I have learned both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

There is nothing wrong with trying to better oneself and learning from one that is better than they. Or one that they aspire to be like. However, this must not be our main focus. Our focus should be on Christ. What God has for you is for you and what God has for another is for another. Focus on what God has for you and let Him take you to the higher heights and deeper depths. It is He that knows the path for you to become the best version of yourself. Remember, we can do all things through Christ who strengthens us.

Stay tuned next week as we discuss the next tribe of Soul Ninja in Chapter 3

Above All Things, Let God be exalted!!