Envy

• the resentful or unhappy feeling of wanting somebody else's success, good fortune, qualities, or possessions Encarta

• painful or resentful awareness of an advantage enjoyed by another joined with a desire to possess the same advantage Merriam-Webster

The Anatomy of Envy

13Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. 15Such “wisdom” does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, of the devil. 16For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:13-16 (NIV)

The Anatomy of Envy

3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NKJV)

The Anatomy of Envy28And even as they did not like to retain God in their

knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving, unmerciful; 32who, 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.

Romans 1:28-32 (NKJV)

The Anatomy of Envy

• 19Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21envy, 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 5:19-21 (NKJV)

The Anatomy of Envy

Proverbs 14:3030 A sound heart is life to the

body,But envy is rottenness to the bones.

Common Occasions of Envy

• Loss of job or position• Loss of a loved one• Loss of health• Loss of wealth• Loss of a relationship• Loss of intimacy within a marriage

Expressions of Envy

• Anger

• Hatred

10“Because you have said, ‘These two nations and these two countries shall be mine, and we will possess them,’ although the Lord was there, 11therefore, 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. Ezekiel 35:10-11 (NKJV)

Expressions of Envy

• Spite

15Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: 16The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; 17but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. 18What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice. Philippians 1:15-18 (NKJV)

Expressions of Envy

• Destructive Obsession– Gossip– Lying– Plotting– Physical harm

17Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, “Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ?” 18For he knew that they had handed Him over because of envy. Matthew 27:17-18 (NKJV)

The Journey Away from Envy

• The first step is always recognition of the biblical infraction and experience of godly sorrow resulting in repentance.

The Journey Away from Envy

• Filter teaching or advice through God’s Word.

3If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself. 1 Timothy 6:3-5 (NKJV)

The Journey Away from Envy

• Filter your thoughts and desires through God’s Word.

17But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. 18Peacemakers who sow in peace raise a harvest of righteousness.

James 3:17-18 (NIV)

The Journey Away from Envy

• Trust in God’s sovereign choice.

• 3For I say, through the grace given to me, to everyone who is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think, but to think soberly, as God has dealt to each one a measure of faith. 4For as we have many members in one body, but all the members do not have the same function, 5so we, being many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, let us use them: if prophecy, let us prophesy in proportion to our faith; 7or ministry, let us use it in our ministering; he who teaches, in teaching; 8he who exhorts, in exhortation; he who gives, with liberality; he who leads, with diligence; he who shows mercy, with cheerfulness.

Romans 12:3-8 (NKJV)

The Journey Away from Envy

• Develop a realistic assessment of who you are.

• 3Let nothing be done through selfish ambition or conceit, but in lowliness of mind let each esteem others better than himself. Philippians 2:3

The Journey Away from Envy

• Develop an outward focus

• 4Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others. Philippians 2:4

The Journey Away from Envy

• Learn from the Master

5Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, 7but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. 8And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.

Philippians 2:5-8