1 Corinthians 3:3 for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men?

For as long as we keep focusing on the world and worldly things we will find it hard to focus on God and on His word.

As Christians we are so much more than mere men and women, we are children of God and have a bright and eternal future with our Saviour!

Why should we want to behave like everyone else when we can be different and give glory to our awesome God every moment of every day if we choose?

James 3:16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there.

Spending too much time comparing yourself to others will lead to jealousy and to ill feeling about yourself.

In modern society we are often told to look after ourselves rather than the people around us so we can get the best from life; but what does that lead to?

If Christ tells us to look out for those around us and to love them as we love ourselves, and the world is telling us to love ourselves first and foremost, where do we go?

Listening to God will help you to focus on the people around you and allow you to avoid many ill feelings.

Ecclesiastes 1:18 For in much wisdom is much grief, And he who increases knowledge increases sorrow.

I know we do strive to learn in our lives and we are taught to try hard at gaining knowledge and wisdom to make our lives better; but is it right to do so?

The answer to this is not that wisdom or knowledge is wrong, but the thirst or greed for it can be very wrong; just like the love for money is wrong, but money in itself is not.

If we spend all our energy on focusing on getting the best knowledge and wisdom into our lives we are going to fall short of the need for both and focus on the requirement of getting the best.

God wants us to learn, but not at the cost of remembering and growing with the truth.