I Want what you’ve got
(James 4:1-4)
Intro: Once there was an eagle (Bald Eagle) who was envious of another (Golden Eagle) that could fly better than he could. He asks an Indian warrior to help him kill the Golden eagle. The Warrior agreed but ask for some of his feathers to put on his arrows. The warrior made arrows and shot at the Golden Eagle, but his arrows came up short. He asks the Bald Eagle for more feathers, The eagle plucked the best ones from his wings. The warrior made more arrow, but instead of shooting at the Golden Eagle, He took aim at the Bald Eagle, who now was unable to fly. Envy led the death of the Bald Eagle
Text:
(James 4:1-4)
Do you know where your fights and arguments come from? They come from the selfish desires that war within you. 2 You want things, but you do not have them. So you are ready to kill and are jealous of other people, but you still cannot get what you want. So, you argue and fight. You do not get what you want, because you do not ask God. 3 Or when you ask, you do not receive because the reason you ask is wrong. You want things so you can use them for your own pleasures.
What is envy?
James 3:16 (NIV)
16 For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
Proverbs 14:30
"A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones."
The Main causes of evil and sin are envy. Envy left unchecked, becomes the main cause of every evil thought and action. Envy is the cause of selfish ambition, greed, hatred, murder, prejudice, even racism.
ENVY is saying… "I like what you’ve got, I don’t like the fact that you have it, and I want it"!!!
Envy is crippling. A person with envy is a person with a troubled heart, a troubled mind and a troubled life.
How does envy cripple us?
1. ENVY CRIPPLES OUR ABILITY TO LOOK AT OURSELVES.
a. The Story of Cain and Abel
"I like what you’ve got, I don’t like the fact that you have it, and I want it, It should be mine"
b,. People become envious of your talents, abilities, things you possess, your nature, even your appearance.
c. There are those that envy the perfect family in the middle of their own family wrecking.
"I like what you’ve got, I don’t like the fact that you have it, and I want it, It should be mine "
2. ENVY CRIPPLES OUR SECURITY...ENVY CRIPPLES OUR TRUST IN GOD.
a. Pastors becoming envious of other pastors
b. Singers becoming envious of other singers
One of the saddest things that happens to a person is when their envy
leads them to feel insecure. With envy you start taking things into your own hands instead of letting God take control of things.
"I like what you’ve got, I don’t like the fact that you have it, and I want it, It should be mine "
3. ENVY CRIPPLES OUR RELATIONSHIP with others
a. Joseph’s Brothers
As rust corrupts iron, so envy corrupts man.
4. ENVY CRIPPLES OUR RESPECT FOR AUTHORITY/LEADERS.
a. Aaron &Miriam envy Moses
b. Korah envy Moses
c. Bob "I don’t know why God has you over this church "
One time a man came to our church and began questioning me about why God had me as pastor of the church, when he was much more qualified. I told him “God sets up whom He desires” . A few weeks later this man became involved in a terrible sin that led to his death. Be careful envy can destroy you.
The dangerous thing that happens when we envy those who are in charge, when we envy our leadership - our pastor, board member, boss, teacher, political leader. We risk beginning to be disrespectful and disobedient towards them. What does it mean to envy these people? "I like what you’ve got, I don’t like the fact that you have it, and I want it"
In this case envy usually begins when we get upset about something the leader or person of authority has said or done and then envy sets in. We say to ourselves "how did they get to be in such a position of authority anyways - I could do a better job then they could!" Scripture teaches that we are to obey those who have been placed in positions of authority and only in cases where their requests/teachings go contrary to the Word of God do we disobey.
5. ENVY CRIPPLES OUR ABILITY TO ENJOY WHAT WE HAVE.
a. Haman
b. Princes of Babylon envy Daniel
c. Envy not only cripples our ability to enjoy what we have but also to be thankful for what we have. How many of us have ever said, "If only I had?
6. ENVY CRIPPLES OUR SPIRITUAL GROWTH.
When you feel like, "I like what you’ve got, I don’t like the fact that you have it, and I want it" resist it, say instead "I Thank God that He Blessed you with what you’ve got, I am Blessed by it , I am Blessed by the gift that God has given me, and I expect Him to bless us all with more“.
