Emptiness of Envy
June 20, 2021
Proverbs 27:4; 14:30, 1 Peter 2:13
SICKNESS IN OUR SOUL
- Proverbs 27:4; 14:30
- “Envy is the ulcer of the soul” Socrates
- “Envy is one of the most cancerous and soul-destroying vices there is… it is terribly potent, for it feeds and is fed by pride, the taproot of our fallen nature.”
- 1 Samuel 16-20 illustrates envy in Saul’s attitudes and actions toward David.
- “As we try to evaluate our hearts, we need to be alert to the fact that envy is a chameleon, masquerading as smooth flattery one minute and righteous indignation the next, fear and awe one minute and then malicious plotting and public assault the next.” – JOE RIGNEY
SYMPTOMS OF ENVY
- Comparison
- Criticizing & Complaining
- Ingratitude
THE CURE
- 1 Peter 2:1-3
- “Put Away…” (Spit out)
- Gospel Paradox: “For you have died… (Col. 3:3), “therefore, put to death…” (Col. 3:5)
- As Christians, our sinful nature is rendered defeated, and in response we are commanded to take off that old dead self and walk in the newness of the life we have in Christ.
- “Long for pure spiritual milk…”
- Replace the poison f envy with pure spiritual milk of God’s Word.
- Spit out comparisons and drink in our completeness in Christ (Galatians 6:4-6, Col 2:10)
- Spit out criticism and drink in God forgiveness with a kind heart (Eph. 4:32)
- Spit pit ingratitude and drink in the faithfulness of Jesus with a thankful heart (Isa. 9:1)
APPLICATION
- Diagnose Your Heart
- What symptoms of envy do you see at work in your own life?
- Confess Your Sin
- When we confess our sin, God is faithful and just to forgive us our sin.
- Spit out and put away envy from our life by drinking deep from the fountain of living waters.
- Drink The Truth
- Meditate on God’s revealed truth as our heart and mind are renewed.