Proverb 3:31

“Do not envy the oppressor
And choose none of his ways;”

The oppressor is a burdensome person who holds power or strength (and the like) over you to keep you weighed down.

When you constantly feel pushed down in this manner, it will begin to wear on you. First you’ll be discontented, then anger will swell and at some point, you’ll even fantasize about what it would belike to be in the oppressor’s shoes. You won’t feel bad about those thoughts, though. You don’t want to be an oppressor, you just want the opportunities he has, the perks of the job, the goods.

You’’ll eventually  be given the chance to take on the manifestations of an oppressor yourself. When this time comes, you will have already fed your discontent with desirous thoughts about the so-called benefits associated with the lifestyle of an oppressor. Which will make it that much harder to resist. You’ve already tasted success in your mind and smelled a tinge of popularity with your imaginings.

You’ve fancied a closet full of an oppressor’s wardrobe. You’ve rehearsed what an oppressor would say in conversation with highly respectable people. You’ve wandered through the exotic lands an oppressor travels–all with the gift of your God-given creativity.

So when that time comes to make your choice to become an oppressor, you won’t recognize it as such. Rather you will perceive it as an opportunity! One you would be crazy to pass up. And as you travel to the places you once dreamed of; as you dine with princes and politicians; as you dress for success and shake hands with celebrities around the world, you won’t even realize that you’re being morphed.

You’ve slowly—”opportunity” by “opportunity”—become an oppressor. You’ve watched the puny you wane into a sea of darkness where it’s negligence is a convenience and distraction is a pleasure. You will become the person you once despised.

But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. Then when desire has conceived it gives birth to sin; and sin when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Do not be deceived my beloved brethren. – James 1:14-16

Choose none of his ways. 

You will never be equipped to resist though, so long as you envy them. “Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” You will have to develop a new thought-pattern to be prepared to turn down his offerings. You will begin to use your creativity to imagine eternal legacies. Not those that moth and rust have the power to destroy (Matt. 6:19).

When we settle on the reality that we are but vapors passing through this life, our priorities will shift. And all of a sudden, you won’t envy the oppressor any longer because you understand the temporal nature of his glamor.

And if you don’t envy him, you will never ever choose his ways.