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Mike Chaffin
At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. Titus 3:3
What an awful way to live. But Titus 3:3 deftly describes our lives before Christ. The second of the seven deadly sins, envy does its best to wreck our walk even after we come to Christ.
James is considered the wisdom literature of the New Testament. He puts our plight in plain words. He explains well our envious nature and how it drives us to sin,
For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. James 3:16
Envy is one of the basest drives men face. As James explained, it is the root of disorder and every evil practice. For instance, Cain murdered his brother Abel because he was envious of him and His relationship with God.
As a follower of Christ, we must lay envy aside. Jesus saved us from our fleshly selves so we can live a holy life. When we envy others, it will drive us to sin, or quench our effective witness to the world. Paul had to warn the church at Corinth about their envious ways.
for you are still carnal. For where there are envy, strife, and divisions among you, are you not carnal and behaving like mere men? 1 Corinthians 3:3
If you are in Christ, you are not a mere man or mere woman. You are a Holy Spirit filled Child of the God capable of living a holy life and spreading God’s light to the rest of the world. Our sins were defeated at the cross and when we take up our cross daily and follow Jesus those sins are dead to us.
The devil likes to tempt us to sin. One of his main temptations is to get us to envy. This feeling may just be one of ‘keeping up with the Joneses, or it could be even worse leading to covetousness. A sin that made God’s top ten list when He wrote the Ten Commandments. Thou shalt not covet.
Job put is simply,
Resentment kills a fool, and envy slays the simple. Job 5:2
The best advice in handling envy is of course found in the Bible, penned by the wisest man who ever lived,
Do not let your heart envy sinners, but always be zealous for the fear of the Lord. Proverbs 23:17
Envy robs us of our contentment, our witness, and our peace. Fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom. Let’s all strive to be wise.
Prayer: Lord, please help me to overcome envy in my life. Help me satisfy myself in the eternal blessings you have given me. I ask for wisdom to walk in the knowledge that you love me and provide everything I need. Thank you Jesus. Amen.
