Introduction: Have you ever heard it said that someone was “green with envy?” Where does that come from? Shakespeare. Angry Red. The original Word means Corruption. That person is soul-sick. Envy is a poison. We should avoid envy like the plague. It has no place.
Point 1: The Warnings
1. There are many Scriptures available that describe the envious person that include Proverbs 14:30 psychosomatic, Galatians 5:26, Romans 1:29 if we reject loving our enemies, we reject love itself, 1 Corinthians 13:4, Love isn’t bothered by someone else gaining) and group envy with other undesirable traits (Mark 7:22, Galatians 5:20-23)
2. Illustration: Road signs, how often have you though if this applies to you.., gate signs, wet floor signs, all serve the same purpose; they warn us of danger. If
3. Application: We need to address envy with the severity with which scripture does. It’s not insignificant like mosquitos
Point 2: The Watchful (eye)
1. What is God, then, if the Scriptures reveal that he’s a jealous God? (Exodus 34:14) Hebrew and Greek are translated differently. Not the same as envy.
2. Consider the jealous husband in Numbers 5:14,
3. Application: There are so many parallels between the institution of marriage and our relationship with God. Ephesians 5, the wife submits to the husband while he lays his life down for her purpose. What if we thought of ourselves as the bride
Point 3: The Wanting
1. In Mark 7:22, the word translated to envy is ophthalmos, meaning the eye. The image of an eye is used as a metaphor for the faculty of knowing. “Side glance.* “Envy is the art of counting the other fellow's blessings instead of your own.” - Harold Coffin. *Is it fair that one person has one thing and another person has another thing? Mention Spiritual gifts….
2. Illustration: David and Bathsheba, A new guitar.
3. Application: Have you lost the wonder of what’s been set before you? Envy can creep upon us.
Conclusion:
1. Summarize all points
a. You may think there’s nothing wrong with desiring something outside of what you already have…
b. We need to know that God is watchful. God isn’t envious, he is jealous for you.
c. We need not want any longer...but thank God for what you have
Apply all points
a. We need to take envy very seriously.
b. As a bride we would wait until her husband is ready for intimacy, not running to the nearest man, as his bride we should wait on our love.
c. Don’t be caught up in discontent feelings, but thank God for what you have
3. Invitation
a. I invite you to draw swords against this enemy of your soul
Let’s ask our Father to clean us, renew our minds, purify our hearts, and free us from the tyranny of envy to experience the fullness of His joy.
b. Prayer Chorus: (Salvation Army Song Book) (2-3) #767, #717, #994
