Envy

Yesterday at church we covered the topic of “envy”. I think this might have been the first time I’ve dedicated and entire message to the topic of envy. You would think that considering the seriousness of envy I would have done this much sooner. Check out what God thinks about it: “The acts of the sinful nature are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity and debauchery; idolatry and witchcraft; hatred, discord, jealousy, fits of rage, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions and envy; drunkenness, orgies, and the like. I warn you, as I did before, that those who live like this will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Gal. 5:19-21

The fact is, when we want what they’ve got (envy); we get what we don’t want. In Proverbs 14 we learn that envy rots the bones. James writes, “But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such "wisdom" does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.” James 3:14-16. When we want what they’ve got; we get what we don’t want!

We envy people’s stuff, relationships, skills, etc. But how much happy would our lives be if we drop the envy and we begin to celebrate God’s goodness in the lives of others? Think of the love that is established when we are genuinely happy for the blessings of God in someone else’s life. What would it look like in our lives if we quit looking at what everyone else has got and we begin to just embrace God’s goodness and provision to us today? Think of the peace that would finally come to your spirit if you dropped the envy.