Saturday Motivation: Envy! How To Overcome
Saturday Motivation! Envy! How To Overcome!
Text:
Galatians 5 v 26: Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
1 Peter 2 v 1: So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
What Is Envy?
Envy is the desire to have something that is not yours.
Envy is spite and resentment at the success of another person.
Envy is the longing for someone else`s possession, position, fortune, achievement or success.
Envy is a feeling of discontent and resentment towards the achievement, possession and qualities of another person accompanied by a strong desire to have them.
Envy is an emotion that we feel from time to time but if permitted in our lives, it can prevent us from realizing our potentials.
Envy and jealousy are quite different but can be used interchangeably. Envy is a reaction to lacking something that someone else has. Jealousy on the other hand is a reaction to the fear or threat of losing someone or something we possess.
Envy is the distress or resentment we feel when others have what we do not have. Jealousy is the dread or suspicion we feel when what we have might be taken away.
Envy is fear of being displaced by a rival in affection or favor. It is a negative emotion, thought, feelings of insecurity or anxiety over an anticipated loss of something
To be envious is to be anxiously suspicious or vigilant. Envy corrupts our motives, thoughts and actions.
What does the Bible have to say about Envy?
Being envious shows that we are not satisfied with what God has given us. The Bible tells us that we must be content with what we have for God will never fail or forsake us. {Hebrews 13 v5}.
Envy is an act of the flesh and is sinful. Envy is the same as covetousness. To covet is to have an excessive desire to have what belongs to another person.
Envy is craving or selfish desire that threatens the rights of others {Exodus 20 v17}, {Joshua 7v 21}
The root of envy is a dissatisfied heart. Envy is an inward vice or attitude that defiles a person.
Instead of being envious of others, we should trust in the Lord and delight in Him {Psalm 37 v 4}.
It is not a sin to be tempted to envy but if allowed to thrive, it becomes destructive and this is sinful.
As Christians we must get rid of envy because if we allow it to manifest, it can lead to spiritual, emotional and physical death.
Why is Envy Sin?
1. Envy hinders spiritual growth; {Galatians 5 v 26}
2. Envy is a vice and it`s evil; {1 Peter 2 v 1}
3. Envy divides people
4. Envy destroys relationships
5. Envy sows discords
6. Envy is bitterness and resentment
7. Envy cause people to act and speak in toxic ways; {James 3 v 16}
8. Envy is a time and opportunity waster
How can we overcome Envy?
If we must be free from the sin of envy, we must do the following;
1. Confess envy as sin and acknowledge that we are envious of others.
2. Be willing to walk in faith and be content and thankful for what we have.
3. Pray for strength to overcome the spirit of envy {Romans 8 v6}, {Proverbs 23 v 17}
4. Be willing to get rid of envy {1 Peter 2 v 1-2}
5. Accept yourself as you are and be thankful to God. Be thankful for you, your face, figure, health, abilities, family, job, bank account, friends and spiritual gifts
6. Do not compare yourself with others
7. Be willing to praise others for their success and encourage them to reach their goals.
8. Keep your earthly achievements to yourself and remember that wealth or other material possessions cannot go to heaven with you. You will leave everything here.
9. Set your heart on things above; {Colossians 3 v 1-2}.
Let us look at some scriptures on Envy!
1. Galatians; 5 v 26: Let us not become conceited, provoking one another.
2. Proverbs 23 v 17: Let not your heart envy sinners but continue in the fear of the Lord, all the day
3. Galatians 5 v 26: Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.
4. 1 Peter 2 v 1: So put away all malice and all deceit and hypocrisy and envy and all slander.
5. James 3 v 16: For where jealousy and selfish ambition exists, there will be disorder and every vile practice.
6. Proverbs 24 v 1: Be not envious of evil men or desire to be with them
7. 1 Corinthians 13 v 4: Love is patient and kind, love does not envy or boast, it is not arrogant
8. Proverbs 24 v 19: Fret not yourself because of evildoers and do not be envious of the wicked
9. Proverbs 3 v 31: Do not envy a man of violence and do not choose any of his ways
10. Proverbs 27 v 4: Wrath is cruel, anger is overwhelming, but who can stand before jealousy
11. Job 5 v 2: Surely vexation kills the fool, jealousy slays the simple
12. Proverbs 6 v 34: For jealousy makes a man furious and he will not spare when he takes revenge
Let`s look at some examples of Envy in the Bible!
1. Genesis 4 v 3 – 5: {Cain and Abel}
2. Genesis 27 v 41: { Jacob and Esau}
3. Genesis 30 v 1: {Rachel and Leah}
4. 1 Samuel 15 v 6 – 16: {Saul and David}
5. Mark 15 v 10: {Jewish Leaders and Jesus}
May the Lord give us the grace to overcome the spirit of envy! Amen!
Shalom!