Envy is: Resenting God’s goodness in someone else’s life and ignoring God’s goodness in my own life.”
WHY SHOULD I AVOID ENVY?
Envy distracts me from my life’s purpose.
Luke 9:62, “anyone who lets himself be distracted from the work I plan for him is not fit for the Kingdom of God.” (LB)
Envy causes conflict.
James 4:1, “What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires that battel within you?”
Envy leads to other sins.
James 3:16, “For where you find envy…there you will find disorder and every evil practice.”
Envy makes us miserable.
Proverbs 14:30, “A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.”
HOW DO I OVERCOME ENVY?
Resist comparing yourself to others.
2 Corinthians 10:12, John 21:18-22, Galatians 6:4
Recognize your own uniqueness.
Psalm 139:13 & 15
Rejoice in what you have.
Ecclesiastes 6:9, Philippians 4:11
Respond to others in love.
I Corinthians 13:4, Matthew 22:39, Romans 12:15
HOW DO I KNOW I AM THERE?
Maturing beyond envy means you follow God’s Mission for your life. You do not ignore God’s goodness in your own life!
When you do this as a Life Habit,
you have matured beyond envy!