I’ve just recently read Alexandre Dumas’ The Count of Monte Cristo.
My take was, perhaps, unusual considering that the underlying theme of this classic story didn’t emerge, for me, as one of a young man ultimately destroyed by his quest for vengeance. You see, what stood out to me in this story was something of the perils of covetousness and jealousy; the concealed potential for human savagery behind even the most [seemingly] benign gossip; the mercurial nature of human relationship; and the dangers of a spiteful tongue. For me, it was the story of a monster that can grow from a spec of contempt.
That’s just my take; you’ll have yours.
In many Christian circles, pride is considered to be the most potentially insidious sin, yet Solomon wrote, “ Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy?” Thus, and seemingly in agreement with Solomon, I would offer the sin of jealously as the most insidious sin, transcending even the stinging sin of pride. You see, Jealousy seldom stands alone, and is almost always accompanied by resentment, gossip, and hatred without cause. The definition of jealousy may be paraphrased as a person who views himself vicariously through someone else’s position in life. Rather than focusing on one’s self and one’s own ambitions, he chooses to focus on the life and ambitions of another. He begins to explain away the accomplishments of his subject as some sort of cheating or foolery. Finally, he begins to spread word to not be deceived by his subject’s ostensible good nature, and that what may appear to be success may be better explained as a hoax.
In The Count of Monte Cristo, a young boy named Edmond Cortez was blessed by his God and his superiors well beyond what others may have assessed to be his “dues”. Thus, jealousy and hatred without cause developed in the minds of a few onlookers, and through a few spiteful words, a malicious plot was conceived, developed, perfected, and implemented. Indeed, a plot which would ultimately englobe everyone close to Edmond, including those who hadn’t wished to involve themselves. What ensued would become one of the most notorious stories of human hatred, jealousy, covetousness, and yes… vengeance ever penned.
David prayed the following prayer to a group that he said hated him without cause:
Let the angel of the Lord pursue them
For without cause they have hidden their net for me in a pit
Which they have dug without cause for my life
Let a destruction come upon him unexpectedly
And let his net that he has hidden catch himself
Into that very destruction let him fall
You may note that this prayer wasn’t said against an encroaching enemy, or a far-off resistance force; this prayer was offered against individuals who were previously considered friends and neighbors.
Read on and see:
(Speaking of those against whom he prays)
They reward me evil for good
To the sorrow of my soul
But as for me, when they were sick,
My clothing was a sackcloth;
I humbled myself with fasting;
And my prayer would return to my own heart
I paced about as though he were my friend or brother;
I bowed down heavily as one who mourns for his mother.
But in my adversity they rejoiced
And gathered together
Attackers gathered against me
And I did not know it;
They tore at me and did not cease;
With ungodly mockers at feasts
They gnashed at me with their teeth
Throughout each life – indeed, even the most passive and inwardly trodden lives – antagonists will emerge. These antagonists boast that they are your enemy, and they’ll assume that you have time for such trivialities. You haven’t the time, thus you should pay such people no attention. In reality, these antagonists aren’t your true enemies, as they have assumed. Never allow others, especially your antagonists, to establish who your enemies are nor where your focus lies. Narrow your focus on your own successes, so you may help those around you as needed. Remain wary of all but the closest one or two people in your life, and play your hand very closely to your vest; run the race purposefully, for life is indeed a race; although, not won on the merit of speed as much as pace and persistence. Never pause to help others who refuse to join in the race; nevertheless, help as many runners as you can as your life briefly touches theirs in passing.
Keep a strong and steady pace. If you must, then pray the prayer of David over your antagonists, and do so quietly. Avoid speaking of these people with others unless there is a specific resolution that is being sought. Label your own enemies, and avoid permitting others, about whom you might otherwise think very little, to label themselves, thus potentially elevating themselves in your life.
In football, it’s often said that a team mustn’t allow the referees to decide the final outcome with a few bad calls. Build your life so solidly that your antagonists can not destroy you with a few slanderous words. Walk as upright as you can, let no one set your pace for you, hold your goals close, and pray daily.
I believe that while following Christ’s example you may very well offend some people along the way. Not that you set out to offend, but it may simply happen by default. I’ve heard it said by many Christians that we should “Go against the grain”, and certainly such a mindset is mere foolishness. Perhaps for some the adjunct has become the objective, if not the very center of their pursuit of faith. We are called to a course, and if the collateral damage of that course is a chaffing against the status quo, then we apologize no more than would a train which stirs up the dust while pursuing its destination. Christianity is an exclusive belief system, and it is that exclusivity that will occasionally offend.
~ Nathan Gray
The Flight of Reason 