Overcoming Envy

1
Overcoming Envy
2
Green-Eyed Monster

• Introduction
• Socrates said, Envy is the daughter of pride,
  the author of murder and revenge, the begetter of
  secret sedition, the perpetual tormenter of
  virtue. Envy is the filthy slime of the soul a
  venom, a poison, a quicksilver, which consumeth
  the flesh and drieth up the marrow of the bones.

3
Green-Eyed Monster

• This is something more than an inordinate desire
  of unpossessed good. It includes regret that
  others should have what we do not enjoy a
  feeling of hatred and malignity towards those
  more favoured than ourselves and a desire to
  deprive them of their advantages. This a real
  cancer of the soul producing torture and eating
  out all right feelings. There are, of course, all
  degrees of this sin, from the secret satisfaction
  experienced at the misfortunes of others, or the
  unexpressed desire that evil may assail them or
  that they may be reduced to the same level with
  ourselves, to the Satanic hatred of the happy
  because of their happiness, and the
  determination, if possible, to render them
  miserable. There is more of this dreadful spirit
  in the human heart, than we are willing to
  acknowledge. Hodge, C. 1997.

4
What Is Envy?

• Webster says chagrin or discontent at the
  excellence or good fortune of another resentful,
  begrudging.
• Cruden says discontent at the excellence or
  good fortune of another.
• A person might be a faithful church-goer and
  live a morally sound life, yet harbor enough envy
  in his heart to damm his soul (Winkler).
• Rarely is it a confessed sin.

5
Envy in Action

• Genesis 301 (NKJV)1 Now when Rachel saw that
  she bore Jacob no children, Rachel envied her
  sister, and said to Jacob, Give me children, or
  else I die!
• Genesis 2614 (NKJV)14 for he had possessions of
  flocks and possessions of herds and a great
  number of servants. So the Philistines envied him.

6
The Nature Of Envy

• Earthly, sensual devilish.
• James 314 (NKJV)14 But if you have bitter envy
  and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and
  lie against the truth.
• James 315 (NKJV)15 This wisdom does not descend
  from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic.

7
The Nature Of Envy

• Insidious
• Psalm 371 (NKJV)1 Do not fret because of
  evildoers, Nor be envious of the workers of
  iniquity.
• Philippians 115-18 (NKJV)15 Some indeed preach
  Christ even from envy and strife, and some also
  from goodwill 16 The former preach Christ from
  selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add
  affliction to my chains 17 but the latter out of
  love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense
  of the gospel. 18 What then? Only that in every
  way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is
  preached and in this I rejoice, yes, and will
  rejoice.

8
The Nature Of Envy

• Renders victim miserable unhappy.
• Luke 1530 (NKJV)30 But as soon as this son of
  yours came, who has devoured your livelihood with
  harlots, you killed the fatted calf for him.

9
The Nature Of Envy

• It is like cancer of the bone.
• Proverbs 1430 (NKJV)30 A sound heart is life to
  the body, But envy is rottenness to the bones.

10
The Nature Of Envy

• Worse than wrath and anger.
• Proverbs 274 (NKJV)4 Wrath is cruel and anger a
  torrent, but who is able to stand before
  jealousy?

11
The Associates Of Envy

• 1 Peter 21 (NKJV)1 Therefore, laying aside all
  malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil
  speaking,
• Galatians 519-21 (NKJV)19 Now the works of the
  flesh are evident, which are adultery,
  fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry,
  sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies,
  outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
  dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,
  drunkenness, revelries, and the like of which I
  tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in
  time past, that those who practice such things
  will not inherit the kingdom of God.

12
The Associates Of Envy

• Titus 33 (NKJV)3 For we ourselves were also
  once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving
  various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and
  envy, hateful and hating one another.
• Romans 129-32 (NKJV)29 being filled with all
  unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness,
  covetousness, maliciousness full of envy,
  murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness they are
  whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God,
  violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil
  things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning,
  untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful
  32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God,
  that those who practice such things are deserving
  of death, not only do the same but also approve
  of those who practice them.

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The Havoc Caused By Envy

• Because of envy
• Cain.
• Josephs brothers
• Korah, Dathan Abiram
• Saul
• Men crucified
• Apostles were cast into

14
Envy At Work In The World

• Members of the church can become envious of one
  another
• For receiving just recognition or praise for a
  job well done.
• Because of success and wealth.
• What else?

15
Envy At Work In The World

• Preachers can become envious of one another.
• Success in baptisms, ability to speak.
• Financial arrangements.
• What else?

16
Envy At Work In The World

• Congregations can be envious of one another.
• Larger membership.
• Larger contribution.
• Better building.
• What else?

17
Gods Prohibition Against Envy

• 1 Peter 21 (NKJV)1 Therefore, laying aside all
  malice, all deceit, hypocrisy, envy, and all evil
  speaking,
• Galatians 526 (NKJV)26 Let us not become
  conceited, provoking one another, envying one
  another.
• Romans 1313 (NKJV)13 Let us walk properly, as
  in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness, not
  in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.

18
The Destiny Of The Envious

• Romans 132 (NKJV)32 who, knowing the righteous
  judgment of God, that those who practice such
  things are deserving of death, not only do the
  same but also approve of those who practice them.
• Galatians 521 (NKJV)21 envy, murders,
  drunkenness, revelries, and the like of which I
  tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in
  time past, that those who practice such things
  will not inherit the kingdom of God.

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What Is The Remedy?

• Love is the remedy!
• Ezekiel 3511 (NKJV)11 therefore, as I live,
  says the Lord God, I will do according to your
  anger and according to the envy which you showed
  in your hatred against them and I will make
  Myself known among them when I judge you.
• Titus 33 (NKJV)3 For we ourselves were also
  once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving
  various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and
  envy, hateful and hating one another.
• 1 Corinthians 134 (NKJV)4 Love suffers long and
  is kind love does not envy love does not parade
  itself, is not puffed up

20
What Is The Remedy?

• Put on Christ!
• Romans 1313-14 (NKJV)13 Let us walk properly,
  as in the day, not in revelry and drunkenness,
  not in lewdness and lust, not in strife and envy.
  14 But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no
  provision for the flesh, to fulfill its lusts.
• Galatians 326-27 (NKJV)26 For you are all sons
  of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as
  many of you as were baptized into Christ have put
  on Christ.

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What Is The Remedy?

• Grow up and deepen our spirituality!
• 1 Corinthians 31-3 (NKJV)1 And I, brethren,
  could not speak to you as to spiritual people but
  as to carnal, as to babes in Christ. 2 I fed you
  with milk and not with solid food for until now
  you were not able to receive it, and even now you
  are still not able 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?

22
What Is The Remedy?

• Walk in the Spirit!
• Galatians 519-21 (NKJV)19 Now the works of the
  flesh are evident, which are adultery,
  fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry,
  sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies,
  outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions,
  dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders,
  drunkenness, revelries, and the like of which I
  tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in
  time past, that those who practice such things
  will not inherit the kingdom of God.
• Galatians 516 (NKJV)16 I say then Walk in the
  Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the
  flesh.

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What Is The Remedy?

• Remember we are members of the same body!
• 1 Corinthians 1226 (NKJV)26 And if one member
  suffers, all the members suffer with it or if
  one member is honored, all the members rejoice
  with it.

24
What Is The Remedy?

• Be content!
• Philippians 411 (NKJV)11 Not that I speak in
  regard to need, for I have learned in whatever
  state I am, to be content
• 1 Timothy 66 (NKJV)6 Now godliness with
  contentment is great gain.

25
What Is The Remedy?

• Crucify self!
• Matthew 1624 (NKJV)24 Then Jesus said to His
  disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me,
  let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and
  follow Me.
• Galatians 220 (NKJV)20 I have been crucified
  with Christ it is no longer I who live, but
  Christ lives in me and the life which I now live
  in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God,
  who loved me and gave Himself for me.

26
What Is The Remedy?

• Ask for Gods help!
• James 45-6 (NKJV)5 Or do you think that the
  Scripture says in vain, The Spirit who dwells in
  us yearns jealously? 6 But He gives more grace.
  Therefore He says God resists the proud, But
  gives grace to the humble.